Wolfgang Sawallisch – Schumann : The Four Symphonies, Ouverture, Scherzo & Finale (2005) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Wolfgang Sawallisch – Schumann : The Four Symphonies, Ouverture, Scherzo & Finale (2005)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:28:00 minutes | 2,94 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics

Since their release in 1972, these recordings have been highly regarded for their transparent orchestral textures, thus overcoming the frequent criticism that Schumann’s orchestration of these symphonies was clumsily dense. The performances are superb. Sawallisch has a mastery of orchestral dynamics which is crucial to successfully performing these works. Much of Schumann’s musical vocabulary and emotional expressiveness in these four symphonies is due to the extreme and unexpected transformations in their dynamics, especially in his symphonies nos. 2 and 3.

Sawallisch adopts a more pliable tempo in these symphonies, which when combined with his freer dynamics lets the symphonies flow rather loosely. This flexibility adds considerably to the beauty of these works. Especially effective is the way each movement of the great “Rhenish” Symphony is allowed to unfold at a leisurely pace, making each movement’s climax that much more impressive. The Staatskapelle Dresden play beautifully for Sawallisch. They were always somewhat underrated as an orchestra but their sound was distinguished by a unique velvety sheen, the source of which was their beautifully articulated woodwind textures blending beautifully with the sound of their lustrously burnished strings. The result was a rather silky sound, more than a little reminiscent of the Philadelphia Orchestra under Ormandy. This two disc set of Schumann’s symphonies is one of the finest available and is highly recommended.

Tracklist:
1-01. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major, Op.38 ‘Spring’ (2002 Remastered Version): I. Andante poco maestoso – Allegro molto vivace (11:28)
1-02. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major, Op.38 ‘Spring’ (2002 Remastered Version): II. Larghetto (07:00)
1-03. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major, Op.38 ‘Spring’ (2002 Remastered Version): III. Scherzo (Molto vivace) – Trio I – Trio II (05:24)
1-04. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 1 in B Flat Major, Op.38 ‘Spring’ (2002 Remastered Version): IV. Allegro animato e grazioso (08:20)
1-05. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120 (2002 Remastered Version): I. Ziemlich langsam – Lebhaft (10:19)
1-06. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120 (2002 Remastered Version): II. Romanze (Ziemlich langsam) (04:10)
1-07. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120 (2002 Remastered Version): III. Scherzo (Lebhaft) & Trio (05:16)
1-08. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120 (2002 Remastered Version): IV. Langsam – Lebhaft (07:54)
1-09. Staatskapelle Dresden – Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52 (2002 Remastered Version): Overture (Andante con moto – Allegro) (06:35)
1-10. Staatskapelle Dresden – Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52 (2002 Remastered Version): Scherzo (Vivo) (03:52)
1-11. Staatskapelle Dresden – Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52 (2002 Remastered Version): Finale (Allegro molto vivace) (06:38)
2-12. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op.61 (2002 Remastered Version): I. Sostenuto assai – Allegro ma non troppo (12:29)
2-13. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op.61 (2002 Remastered Version): II. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) – Trio I – Trio II (06:38)
2-14. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op.61 (2002 Remastered Version): III. Adagio espressivo (10:18)
2-15. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op.61 (2002 Remastered Version): IV. Allegro molto vivace (08:03)
2-16. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’ (2002 Remastered Version): I. Lebhaft (08:56)
2-17. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’ (2002 Remastered Version): II. Scherzo (Sehr mäßig) (06:41)
2-18. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’ (2002 Remastered Version): III. Nicht schnell (05:25)
2-19. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.97 ‘Rhenish’ (2002 Remastered Version): IV. Feierlich (06:52)
2-20. Staatskapelle Dresden – Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, ‘Rhenish’: V. Lebhaft (05:35)

Download: