Hans Pfitzner conducts Robert Schumann (Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4) CD

Description: Robert Schumann (Composer), Hans Pfitzner (Conductor), Berlin State Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), & 1 more Format: Audio CD The Second Symphony is a performance from another age. Many discerning writers have spoken of Pfitzner's music-making with some awe but his discography was small. Apart from his 12 songs which he recorded with Gerhard Husch and the C major Symphony, Op. 46 (Preiser, 7/91), he conucted only a handful of classical works: five Beethoven symphonies (Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8), some Mendelssohn and Weber overtures and three Schumann symphonies (Nos. 1, 2 and 4).The account of the Second is spacious and unhurried, a reading full of inner life, and very well-played by the Staatskapelle Berlin. The slow movement has an unforced, natural eloquence and an appealing warmth. The recording does however, leave much to be desired and sounds its age, as does that of the Fourth Symphony. Pfitzner takes the scherzo of the latter at a terrific lick, faster than I have ever heard it before, cutting second-time repeats and getting through the whole movement in just over three minutes—sample timings are 6'49'' (Sawallisch on EMI, 5/89) or 5'33'' (Christoph von Dohnanyi on Decca, 2/89). On seeing this disc in a shop I would have been tempted to buy it but would, I think have found the sound too constricted and date for it to give real pleasure.'

Price: 22 USD

Location: Ridgewood, New York

End Time: 2024-10-27T20:28:29.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.15 USD