Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works, Vol. I WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln & Heinz Holliger

• Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Symphony No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 38 'Spring'
• 1I. Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto Vivace11:17
• 2II. Larghetto05:16
• 3III. Scherzo. Molto Vivace05:37
• 4IV. Allegro animato e Grazioso09:25
• Overture, Scherzo and Finale in E Major, Op. 52
• 5I. Overture06:26
• 6II. Scherzo04:21
• 7III. Finale06:05
• Symphony in D Minor
• 8I. Andante con moto - Allegro di molto08:08
• 9II. Romanza. Andante03:45
• 10III. Scherzo. Presto06:01
• 11IV. Largo - Finale. Allegro vivace05:39
• Total Runtime01:12:00

Info for Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works, Vol. I

Heinz Holliger’s interpretations draw on a lifetime’s study of the music, thought, personality and fate of Robert Schumann. The cliché of Schumann being a weak orchestrator is disproved by the feathery lilt and subtly structured sound of Holliger’s recordings.

This recording launches a complete series of recordings of Robert Schumann's orchestral works, performed by the WDR Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Heinz Holliger. The series will contain all the symphonies (including both versions of the Fourth) as well as all the overtures and concertos. Holliger's performances draw on a lifetime study of Schumann's music, thought, personality and fate. His approach imparts lightness and lucidity to these opulent scores through a hierarchical balance of parts, delicately gradated dynamics and invigorating tempos. The widespread image of this romantic composer as a weak orchestrator receives a refreshing and well-grounded correction.

Volume 1 of the series presents the First Symphony in B-flat major (Op. 38), Overture, Scherzo and Finale (Op. 52) and the original 1841 version of the Fourth Symphony in D minor (Op. 120).

„Holliger's profound empathy for Schumann shines through these outstanding performances which sustain a miraculous transparency of orchestral texture…“ (BBC)

„Is there a group of orchestral works in the Romantic canon more vexed than the Schumann symphonies? Indisputably lovely works that have long since won…“ (International Record Review)

„There is often some trepidation to experience at the arrival of a new Schumann CD. Few composers sound so different from performance to performance as…“ (FanFare)

„For all that, this impressive performance (played and recorded with excellence, as throughout) leaves in no doubt that Heinz Holliger is a conductor with a great understanding of Schumann. I look forward to the continuance of this Audite series and I foresee an exceptional reading of the revised version of No.4.…“ (Classical Source)

WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Heinz Holliger, conductor

Heinz Holliger
is one of the most versatile and extraordinary musical personalities of our time. He was born in Langenthal, Switzerland, and studied in Bern, Paris and Basel (oboe with Emile Cassagnaud and Pierre Pierlot, piano with Sava Savoff and Yvonne Lefébure and composition with Sándor Veress and Pierre Boulez).

After taking rst prizes in the international competitions in Geneva and Munich, Mr. Holliger began an incomparable international career that has taken him to the great musical centres on ve continents. Exploring both composition and performance, he has extended the technical possibilities of his instrument while deeply committing himself to contemporary music. Some of the most important composers of the present day have dedicated works to Mr. Holliger.

As a conductor, Heinz Holliger has worked for many years with leading orchestras and ensembles worldwide. The artist’s many honours and prizes include the Composer’s Prize of the Swiss Musician’s Association, the City of Copenhagen’s Léonie Sonning Prize for Music, the Art Prize of the City of Basel, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, the City of Frankfurt’s Music Prize, the Abbiati Prize at the Venice Biennale, an honorary doctor- ate from the University of Zürich, a Zürich Festival Prize and the Rheingau Music Prize, as well as awards for recordings; the Diapason d’Or, the Midem Classical Award, the Edison Award, the Grand Prix du Disque, among others. Heinz Holliger is in high demand as a composer. His opera on Robert Walser’s “Schneewittchen” at the Zürich Opera House received great international acclaim. Other major works are the Scardanelli Cycle and the Violin Concerto.

The WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne
was formed in 1947 as part of the then North West German Radio (NWDR) and belongs nowadays to the West German Radio. It is not merely the studio orchestra of the WDR for radio and television productions but also presents numerous concerts in the Kölner Philharmonie and throughout the transmission area. Its outstanding reputation has been acquired in cooperation with its principal conductors – Christoph von Dohnányi, Zdenek Macal, Hiroshi Wakasugi, Gary Bertini and Hans Vonk. Celebrated guest conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Karl Böhm, Fritz Busch, Herbert von Karajan, Erich Kleiber, Otto Klemperer, Lorin Maazel, André Previn, Zubin Mehta, Sir Georg Solti and Günter Wand have also stood on the orchestra’s rostrum.

Impressive examples of the extraordinary quality of the WDR Symphony Orchestra and its stylistic versatility are the successful concert tours throughout Europe, Russia and Japan, its regular radio and television broadcasts and the numerous recordings which set high musical standards.

Apart from promoting the classical and romantic repertoire, the WDR Symphony Orchestra is known for its interpretation of works of the 20th century. Luciano Berio, Hans Werner Henze, Mauricio Kagel, Krzysztof Penderecki, Igor Stravinsky, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Bernd Alois Zimmermann are among the contemporary composers who have performed their works – mainly compositions commissioned by the radio station – with the WDR Symphony Orchestra.

Semyon Bychkov was appointed Principal Conductor of the orchestra in 1997. Under his leadership the orchestra toured very successfully in Japan, Europe, South America and the USA.

Booklet for Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works, Vol. I