Review: Eloquence's Variable Schmidt-Isserstedt Edition, Volume 2

This set has some real downers (a dreadful Scheherazade), some lovely concertos (Beethoven by Szerying, Brahms with Brendel, Mozart with Schneiderhan), a bit of unusual repertoire (Berwald and Fortner), and Italian opera in German that we could do without (La Traviata), and that no sane person would refuse to hear (La Finta giardiniera with Cortrubas, Norman, Troyanos, Donath, Prey, etc.). In short, it's a collector's item, but not for everyone.

[@paullewis2413]

Pleased that you consider his Beethoven cycle one of the best. Each time I listen to these great recordings I’m immediately struck by how good they are as interpretations, quality of playing and Decca’s engineering.

[@artistinbeziers7916]

Yup. 100% agree.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Agreed. The I-S Beethoven cycle has long been one of my reference sets, and,as you mentioned, he was a fine accompanist in Beethoven as well.

[@steveschwartz8944]

I remember picking up the Berwald back in the Sixties when it appeared in the US as a Nonesuch LP. I had never heard of Berwald, but Nonesuch back then was cheap and I enjoyed taking chances on unfamiliar repertoire. Symphony #3 blew me away. I also remember terrific album cover notes, which is how I learned a lot of music history. One of my laments in the CD era is the lack of space for detailed discussions and analysis of repertoire. Much of the time, the notes either puff the performer or provide way too general intros to the composer.

[@bbailey7818]

Nonesuch was a class act. Budget to midprice with excellent notes and vinyl pressings certainly better than Turnabout and often better than the majors.

[@pianomaly9]

Ditto! Same disc, same decade, first hearing of Berwald. Have enjoyed him since, he was his own man, a real and delightfully individual composer.

[@leestamm3187]

Years ago, my first dose of S-I was his deft accompaniment to the Backhaus Beethoven concertos with the Vienna Philharmonic. Further study of his background was enlightening, particularly his critical role in building the NDR after the war. As noted, he was a capable all around professional, especially in the Austro-German repertoire..

[@kylejohnson8877]

Hey Dave, I’d be curious to hear your take on the new Rachmaninoff Symphony #2 just released by Kirill Petrenko and the Berlin Phil on the orchestra’s own label. I know you’re generally not a huge fan of this conductor/orchestra combo, but I gotta say the excepts I’ve listened to sound fantastic!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I'll try to hear it.

[@brianwilliams9408]

I bought this solely for the Brahms Hungarian Dances. I've waited decades for this. My dad bought it on a 3 3/4 ips open reel tape in the 60's, which I still have. It was on Vanguard, so I was surprised that this had different art work. I assume that this was the cover for the European release. This release sounds much better than the old slow speed tape. The other works are just a nice bonus for me. 🙂

[@andreashimarknygaard4400]

This is complete. The Dvorak is in the first box, the Decca recordings.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Oh yeah! Forgot about that! Anyway, it still sucks...

[@danielo.masson353]

One suggestion : would like to hear you on his Brahms Symphonies and Piano Concertos with the NDR (with Claudio Arrau in the PC1 &2). I do not expect great enthusiasm but you know. I have in mind a dithyrambic review by a French critic that impressed me in the mid 1980's, so there is for me an aura of legend around it. Never actually came across these recordings for a long time. Recently heard the 1st and 4th Symphonies in perhaps poor copies. Not particularly impressed by the orchestra, my tastes going for stronger forces under Monteux/RCoA live and Karajan 1978 in the 1st and Solti in the 4th. Still curious about the ' cultural virtues ' (or not) of Schmidt Isserstedt in that repertoire.

[@healthrisingMECFS-FM-longCOVID]

Some nice stuff but It is with some relief to hear this is NOT a “must-have” 😊

[@dennischiapello7243]

I know exactly what you mean. If it's not money, it's shelf space!

[@ngershon]

Could you do a few Lahav Shani reviews? Still hasn't recorded much with the IPO (one recording if to be precise), but it seems he has started a Bruckner cycle with the Rotterdam phil.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I'll think about it...

[@bbailey7818]

The Mozart Giardiniera had to be in German when S-I recorded it because the Italian version wasn't known to exist complete. The complete Italian version was rediscovered later. Neither version makes the dumb plot and puppet characters any better.

[@adastra1351]

But great music stays great music…