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Review by krisjan January 30, 2007 (10 of 11 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
Be aware: these works are performed by a CHAMBER ORCHESTRA and so they will sound different than what most are used to. In fact, the overall impact of this recording is closer to the old 2-CD set by the Hannover Band (on period instruments) than to any of the modern, large orchestra recordings out there. The main difference here is that the Swedish players use modern instruments and the resulting sound is a bit more mellow and less tangy than the Hannover sound. Also, the Bis recording is a bit farther back in perspective than the RCA RBCD though both are very good recordings sound-wise. If you are allergic to period performances but want the perspective that a small orchestra can bring to these works, then the Bis is an excellent choice. The small ensemble gives the brass and winds more prominance in the mix compared to most large orchestra recordings where the strings can be dominant. I find the overall sound to be a bit distant for the Bis - I would have preferred a more close-up perspetive of this smaller ensemble.
Regarding the performances themselves, Dausgaard gives very lively performances. In fact, as far as tempos are concerned, they are quite close to Goodman's Hannover Band for the Syms 2 & 4 (both present the original version of Sym 4, BTW). The fast movements race along in an exhilarating fashion. The orchestra playes very well throughout. I also have the Szell/Cleveland SACD's and the Barenboim/Berlin RBCD's of the Schumann Syms. I listened to the Scherzo (2nd) mvmt of all four of these recordings of the 2nd Sym for comparison purposes. As expected the smaller ensembles (Goodman & Dausgaard)are the fleetest in this mvmt but Szell is not far behind! For a 49 year-old recording, the Szell is remarkable to listen to in SACD (stereo) but I do think the modern resordings have an advantage. It is a close-up orchestra perspective but captures Szell's wonderful peformances nicley. The Barenboim is also a very good performance and recording.
My overall peformance ranking (favorite first) would be: Szell, Dausgaard, Goodman, Barenboim
Sonically, my ranking is: Barenboim, Goodman, Dausgaard, Szell
Mark
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