Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra
Ulf Wallin / Robert-Schumann-Philharmonie / Frank Beermann
SACD ISO: 3,28 GB (Stereo + MCH DSD) | FLAC @ 24bit/88.2kHz: 1,16 GB | Full Artwork | 5% Rec. Info
Label/Cat#: BIS # BIS-SACD-1775 | Country/Year: Europe 2011
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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This SACD is a delight! It begins with a performance of the famous Schumann cello concerto in A minor transcribed by Schumann himself for the violin. Hearing these familiar tunes in a new guise is quite satisfying, so much so that one would think the work was originally written for violin. Ulf Wallin, a frequent BIS recording artist over the years, plays with great expression and urgency extracting every bit of romantic drama from the score. The Robert Schumann Philharmonie directed by Frank Beermann is equally impressive. The ebb and flow with the soloist is perfect with the solo violin getting enough prominence to be heard above the accompaniment. If anything, it would have been nice to have the solo violin more a part of the orchestral fabric but this is certainly no worse than the majority of solo concerto recordings extant. The 22 minutes goes by quickly with such exquisite music making. I’ve only been able to find one other recording of this (on an Onyx RBCD performed by Phillipe Graffin with the Saarbrucken Philharmonic) but do not have it on hand for comparison. In any case, the Wallin is extremely satisfying and in excellent sound – don’t hesitate.

The Fantasy in C for violin and orchestra follows. This 16 minute piece, written late in Schumann’s life, is full of good melodies and soulful expression. This piece has garnered many more performances over the years (one web site shows 22 recordings available). Throughout this program, Ulf Wallin plays a Domenico Montagnana violin (he was making violins in the early 18th century) and it is a full-throated and expressive instrument, ideal for these romantic compositions especially when played as expertly as Wallin does. Beermann and band are not mere time counters but full participants in the unfolding drama.

Last comes the real gem of this release – Schumann’s red-headed step-child violin concerto in D minor, also written late in his life but not getting its first performance until 1937. Joachim was an early advocate of the work during its composition but as time went on he seems to have lost interest in it and never performed it despite scheduling a performance in 1854 that never materialized. Ulf Wallin, who also is the note writer of the BIS booklet, speculates that Joachim may have thought the work to be too technically demanding (he was only 22 years old at the time) and sought excuses for not performing it. Though Joachim left many suggestions and emendations, Wallin and crew have decided to use Schumann’s original for this recording. If you don’t know this concerto, I urge you to make its acquaintance via this recording. It is a marvelous piece. Cast in the usual three movements of 32 minute duration, it is in every way a wonderful work that can stand alongside the Mendelssohn concerto in E minor (in fact, these two concertos have been coupled together a number of times). There are 18 available performances according to one web site from a variety of soloists, the most prolific advocate being Gidon Kremer who’s had three recordings (none of which I know). I first became familiar with it via Thomas Zehetmair’s performance with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Dohnanyi on a RBCD from the 1990’s and then in a later recording from Joshua Bell.

The D minor key brings drama galore. The piece launches with an orchestral flourish that sets the stage for the unfolding dialogue between soloist and orchestra. The opening theme is memorable and well developed during the course of the movement. Wallin plays with great passion and precision and he is matched bar for bar by Beermann and the band. There is a brief island of repose before the finishing flourish of the coda. The second movement, marked langsam, is beautifully evocative. A languid, searching melody wends its way through the movement over a relatively static accompaniment. This leads attacca to the third movement where sturm und drang coalesces with islands of melody. A cogent and fitting conclusion to a very good piece of music.

The sonics (the stereo SACD tracks) are very good. Excepting the slight prominence of the solo violin noted above, the balances are ideal with just the right amount of hall sound permeating the direct, full-bodied sound of the orchestra. I would have liked a bit more of the double basses and orchestral foundation in the mix but it is a minor complaint. Sound engineer Stephen Reh, recording in the Lukaskirche in Dresden has done a bang-up job with the mix. Very natural and thrilling with excellent dynamics. If you are not familiar with Schumann’s violin concerto, by all means avail yourself of this excellent BIS SACD – I think you will be happy to make its acquaintance.

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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Robert Schumann - Complete Works For Violin And Orchestra (2011) {Hybrid-SACD // ISO & HiRes FLAC}

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