Title: Robert Schumann: Schumann: Symphonies 1-4
Release year: 2013
Genre: Classical
Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle
Artist: Berliner Philharmoniker

Description:

For Simon Rattle, Robert Schumann is "the echt Romantic". And in fact, the exuberance of the period, its passion and its melancholy can be heard with the unique intensity in Schumann's music to this day. For the Berliner Philharmoniker, Schumann's symphonies have always been part of their core repertoire. The 1953 Wilhelm Furtwängler in particular has attained cult status. And so it only stands to reason that the Berliner Philharmoniker should launch their Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings label with a cycle of the four Schumann symphonies.
The symphonies are available as a 2-CD + Blu-ray edition and as a limited vinyl collector's edition. Both versions include a free voucher for a high resolution download of the four symphonies. The only files that can be downloaded are the ones you just want to have the digital files.
The Schumann symphonies have accompanied the orchestra throughout 2013 - in Berlin and on tour in Europe and Asia. The Berlin Tagesspiegel wrote of "defining moment", while the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung praised the "truly sensational quality". Another special feature of this recording from the Philharmonie is the decision to use the early version of the Fourth Symphony of 1841, whose appeal for Simon Rattle lies in its extra "lightness, grace and beauty". The presentation of the product, its packaging and special features, go far beyond what standard CDs and LPs offer.
The linen-bound CD / Blu-ray edition includes the Schumann cycle in different formats. In addition to the traditional audio CDs, there is also a Blu-ray disc that enables music to listen to the recording in audiophile studio quality of 96kHz / 24bit or as HD video. If you are looking for the recording in even higher resolution, there is an accompanying code which allows you to download a version online in up to 192kHz / 24bit. An additional code grants 7 days access to the Berliner Philharmoniker's video platform, the Digital Concert Hall. The release also includes bonus material such as behind-the-scenes videos and a comprehensive booklet with articles about the composer, his symphonies and the Schumann tradition of the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Recorded live at the Berlin Philharmonie in 14 - 16 February 2013 (3), 20 - 22 February 2013 (2), 31 October - 2 November 2013 (1 & 4).

Tracklist wrote
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
  Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, op. 38 "Spring"
I. Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto vivace
II. Larghetto -
III. Scherzo
IV. Allegro animato e grazioso

  Symphony No. 4 in D minor, first version from 1841
I. Andante con moto - Allegro di molto
II. Romanza: Andante
III. Scherzo
IV. Finale: Allegro vivace

  Symphony No. 2 in C major op. 61
I. Sostenuto assai - Allegro, ma non troppo
II. Scherzo
III. Adagio espressivo
IV. Allegro molto vivace

  Symphony No. 3 in E flat major op. 97 "Rhenish"
I. Lebhaft
II. Scherzo
III. Nicht schnell
IV. Feierlich
V. Lebhaft

Issued: Germany | Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings
Duration: 02:05:32 (BD Audio) | 00:43:49 + 00:35:34 + 00:34:33 + 00:27:05 + 00:25:48 (BD Video)