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SCHUMANN: THE FOUR SYMPHONIES
(Philadelphia Orchestra)
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Made in the orchestra’s new home at Verizon Hall, these live recordings could take their place at the top of Schumann sets were it not that in this repertoire Wolfgang Sawallisch is competing with himself. His recording of the symphonies with the Staatskapelle Dresden from the 1970s remains the finest overall account in the catalogue. This new set boasts wonderfully flexible playing from the Philadelphians, especially in those gorgeous, transparent strings. But the Dresden recordings (on EMI, at midprice) offer that orchestra’s famously dark sound and gleaming brass (and clearer timpani). And Sawallisch’s new readings sound just a shade less impassioned and urgent than the earlier set. What almost compensates are the extra works on the third disc: a terrific reading of the unjustly neglected Violin Concerto with soloist Leonidas Kavakos; five songs by Schumann’s wife, Clara, sung by baritone Thomas Hampson, with Sawallisch at the piano; and the blissfully romantic Andante and Variations for two pianos, two cellos and horn, with Rudolf Buchbinder, Sawallisch, and members of the orchestra. These give a far more complete view of Schumann’s composing and context than the customary filler. Although it carries a high price tag (around $55), this is a distinguished Schumann set from one of the composer’s most devoted adherents. It’s available directly from the orchestra’s Web site, www.philorch.org
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