Sawallish also did some nice Bruckner for Orfeo, I think you even made the 5th your however version.
@maxwellkrem27796 ай бұрын
It's not quite a cycle without the Overture, Scherzo, and Finale. That is one of Schumann's most charming works.
@gavingriffiths26336 ай бұрын
I remember buying this wonderful set when it first came out - put on the Rhenish - and that swinging first theme just blasted me away - never heard it done better either live or on any recording!
@maximisaev69746 ай бұрын
In my mind, this set isn't just the best "Reference Recording" of Schumann, it's THE BEST PERIOD! Szell's was the one I revered back in the day, mainly because Szell felt passionately about Schumann and he gave it everything he had in him as proof. God knows they sound magnificent, but place a gun held to my head and I'd have to pick the Sawallisch. But why be forced to make such painful choices? Get both! Thanks so much for getting the word out about this dynamite set. Take care!
@joshuacreboreads6 ай бұрын
Thank you, Dave! I love this series.
@robkeeleycomposer6 ай бұрын
Sawallisch was also an extremely fine pianist, as his complete Brahms songs with D F-D demonstrates
@kimandrew94256 ай бұрын
No doubt!! It's Sawallisch!!
@Dageischniddr6 ай бұрын
Sawallisch, totally agree! On vinyl it becomes even more magical. Currently there is only one mint vinyl box left on Discogs. I just grabbed the second last one. Good luck!
@viningscircle6 ай бұрын
Always glad to have the Overture, Scherzo & Finale included in any symphony set, as well as a few overtures possibly tossed in. Staatskapelle Dresden seldom disappoints. It's funny, but I always try to click on the Reference Recording videos without noticing the thumbnail, of which I might immediately recognize the work discussed, because I can see Dave holding it up. It's sort of like opening up a present if I don't immediately see it, perhaps guessing what it would be.
@leeturner12026 ай бұрын
I just started listening to this cycle earlier today. Heard # 1 early this afternoon, and have # 2 planned for this evening. I can confirm that # 1 is excellent. Looking forward to the rest.
@horacenyc4926 ай бұрын
Dead right about the co-production. From the jewel box: "Recorded in co-production with the former VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, Berlin." Was going to mention: it's always nice to see when from the company gets it, and the fact that it streams at 96kHz/24-bit (instead of the standard CD spec transfer) is a pretty good indication that someone gets it. Lovely sound.
@timyork61506 ай бұрын
Yes, and the name of Claus Strüben as balance engineer is a guarantee of fine sound, e.g. also the Kempe Strauss series. Alongside some fine orchestras and other musicians, he was one of the few redeeming features of the DDR.
@jacquesracine95716 ай бұрын
I’ll be playing the triangle part in #1 in Montreal in a few weeks…. We do the version revised by Mahler.
@fabiopaolobarbieri22866 ай бұрын
As I recall, you said pretty much the same about Schmidt-Isserstedt's Beethoven cycle. It would seem that there are Kappelmeister types who just have one spectacular series of recordings in them.
@DavesClassicalGuide6 ай бұрын
Yes, I think that's often true.
@ruramikael6 ай бұрын
The orchestral balance is incredible, I don't know how they manage to do it.
@JackBurttrumpetstuff6 ай бұрын
Sawallisch did one of the great Meistersingers, with EMI, with Bavarian Staatsorchester… great cast: Weikl, Heppner, Studer, Moll
@sly166 ай бұрын
This one is actually unequivocal. It’s so good
@morrigambist6 ай бұрын
What struck me most about these performances is the tight, focused timpani sound. It underlies all the energy that the rest of the orchestra pours out generously.
@goonbelly58416 ай бұрын
I have an old Eurodisc LP of Sawallisch conducting the Czech Philharmonic in performances of Mozart's symphonies 40 & 41. The performance of the Jupiter is my reference recording of that symphony (even beating out Szell).
@curseofmillhaven10576 ай бұрын
Yes, absolutely the reference Schumann symphony cycle. Just as much as Britten's own recording of his War Requiem on Decca or Klemperer's Bruckner (no horse noises!) 6th Philharmonia or Previn's LSO Walton 1st are references. Excellent series of talks.
@williamkeller51766 ай бұрын
He recorded the cycle with Philadelphia later on; “distributed” by the orchestra. Recorded in the main exposition building in Fairmount Park. No one would claim for it reference status since few knew about it.
@DavesClassicalGuide6 ай бұрын
Reviewed on classicstoday.com.
@carlcurtis6 ай бұрын
Unless my memory plays me false, this set was also marvelously recorded.
@orenlurie64225 ай бұрын
@Dave, as a housekeeping note, I think this video is missing from the reference recording playlist
@davidaiken10616 ай бұрын
Critics both here and abroad have been recommending this Schumann cycle for years. Alas, I've never heard it. However, I do think Sawallisch is one of those conductors "who just don't get no respect." I'm sure you are right, Dave, in dismissing his Beethoven and Brahms cycles as "snoozers." But I would tend to classify some of his other recordings as :"sleepers" rather than "snoozers." Sawallisch seemed to have an affinity with early Romantic repertoire. His Schubert and Mendelssohn cycles are very fine, if not world-beaters. Sawallisch was also surpisingly effective in Wagner. I have heard all of his commercially released Wagner recordings, and they are all conducted with great warmth and structural cohesion. Casting and singing are other issues, but interpretively he could be a very distinguished Wagnerian.
@michelangelomulieri51346 ай бұрын
Hands down…top ever!
@salt_cots6 ай бұрын
I love the description of Wolfgang Sawallisch as “a Sphinx in a tailcoat”. Not sure what it means…!
@GarthAstrology6 ай бұрын
Everyone around me has always extolled the virtues of Paul Paray with Detroit.
@DavesClassicalGuide6 ай бұрын
That doesn't make it a reference recording.
@GarthAstrology6 ай бұрын
@@DavesClassicalGuideTrue. I just meant that it was extolled to such an extent that I believed it was the reference recording.
@sivakumarvakkalanka49386 ай бұрын
Dave, instead of the ‘standard’ repertoire may we also have your recommendations on more recent/contemporary music?
@DavesClassicalGuide6 ай бұрын
Not in this series. I have made many, many recommendations of more recent/contemporary music elsewhere.
@sivakumarvakkalanka49386 ай бұрын
Got it, thanks.@@DavesClassicalGuide
@chrismoule72426 ай бұрын
Yep those are what I have.
@francispanny50686 ай бұрын
If only he recorded the Manfred Overture with this orchestra. Still, the Overture, Scherzo, and Finale more than make up for it.
@pietstamitz16 ай бұрын
in fact he did, the Manfred belonged to this series, on LP you can get it, on CD it is left out. And it's glorious and passionate, like the other performances.
@francispanny50686 ай бұрын
@@pietstamitz1 I would love to get my hands on it once it comes out.
@henryoliver28336 ай бұрын
What’s the reference recording for Bach’s Air?
@DavesClassicalGuide6 ай бұрын
Whichever one you're listening to at the moment.
@henryoliver28336 ай бұрын
@@DavesClassicalGuideso, Marriner?
@robhaynes44106 ай бұрын
It is surprising how many truly good Schumann cycles there are. But also a couple of total stinkers: Karajan & Haitink.