Schumann 4th and Furtwangler 2nd

Schumann: Symphony no 4

Furtwangler: Symphony no 2

Berliner Philharmoniker

Wilhelm Furtwangler, conductor.

The Schumann 4th recording is one of the most celebrated Furtwangler recordings ever existed. It is no wonder why. The melancholy and sadness projected in the opening bars is enough to move a listener despite the old mono sound. Any criticism of the composer Schumann's ability to orchestrate is immedietly dispelled by Furtwangler's directive mastery. He balances and brought out various string parts and inner voices and the first movement is very Brucknerian in nobility. For a conductor who can bring out such wizardry from a mediocre symphony is a true testament of Furtwangler's genius.

Unfortunately, I think the recording is overhyped not through the fault of Furtwangler. My opinion is that the 4th symphony of Schumann is the most unremarkable of all his four symphonies - a pale shadow of one of the greatest symphonic masterpieces the 2nd and lacked the spontaneous youthful vitality of his "Spring" plus grandeur and nobility of "Rhenish" symphony. The weaknesses are apparent at the second and third movement where save the lovely violin solo, themes are recycled over and over to unremarkable effect (the beginning of Romanze reminiscence of the opening theme from 1st movement and Trio recycles the Romanze theme). By repeated listenings, the first and fourth movements stood by time.

As for the 2nd symphony of Furtwangler, I heard the 1953 VPO recording released on Orfeo and another by Daniel Barenboim/CSO is better. Even the maestro wasn't particularly happy with that recording. However, I think it comes out as a fine recording, even if I felt it was a little long-winded. Give it a thorough run through before deciding on buying.

Technical: 9

Interpretaion: 9

Sound: 5