Artist: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger
Album: Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works, Vol. II
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2014
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 48 kHz
Duration: 01:06:48
Total Tracks: 9
Total Size: 674 MB

Tracklist:

01. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.2 in C major, Op.61: I. Sostenuto assai – Allegro ma non troppo (12:01)
02. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.2 in C major, Op.61: II. Scherzo. Allegro vivace (07:03)
03. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.2 in C major, Op.61: III. Adagio espressivo (08:26)
04. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.2 in C major, Op.61: IV. Allegro molto vivace (08:40)
05. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’: I. Lebhaft (08:58)
06. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’: II. Scherzo. Sehr mäßig (05:40)
07. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’: III. Nicht schnell (05:08)
08. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’: IV. Feierlich (05:04)
09. WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Heinz Holliger – Symphony No.3 in E-flat major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’: V. Lebhaft (05:45)

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With this CD, audite is presenting the second volume of the complete recording of Robert Schumann’s orchestral works. The series includes all the symphonies (with both versions of the Fourth) as well as all the overtures and concertos.

The Second and Third Symphonies, according to the usual numbering, passed through contrasting histories of reception. Whereas the ‘Rhenish’ remained relatively popular, the C major Symphony was received by contemporaries as trend-setting, but receded into the background from the late nineteenth century onwards. At this time, criticism was primarily levelled at its instrumentation, which had still been praised after its premiere. Heinz Holliger and the WDR Symphony Orchestra have recorded the works with an orchestra of the same size that was available to Schumann. In so doing, they not only uncover the sonic ideal of the composer, but also its consistent and convincing realisation.

Holliger’s performances draw on a lifetime study of Schumann’s music, thought, personality and fate. His approach imparts lightness and lucidity to these opulent scores through a hierarchical balance of parts, delicately gradated dynamics and invigorating tempos. The widespread image of this romantic composer as a weak orchestrator receives a refreshing and well-grounded correction.