Every opportunity to perform the Schumann symphonies is an opportunity to marvel at their extraordinary profusion of ideas and poetic expression and to explore their kaleidoscopic originality. Each time it gives one a chance to vindicate Schumann as a master of symphonic form and instrumental colour, contrary to the dreary cliché that he couldn’t orchestrate. – Sir John Eliot Gardiner Following the success of his Mendelssohn cycle on LSO Live, Sir John Eliot Gardiner turns to the music of Robert Schumann, launching an exploration of his symphonic works that begins with his Second and Fourth symphonies and a rare glimpse of his only opera. Album of the Week “Having been such a fan of Gardiner’s Mendelssohn recordings with the LSO, I had extremely high hopes for these Schumann symphonies, and so far my expectations have not just been met but easily surpassed.” – James Longstaffe, Presto Classical ???? “Lean and lithe are two descriptions of John Eliot Gardiner’s approach to Robert Schumann’s music. Add in atmospheric and dramatic for the Overture to Genoveva (an opera), surging forward but with enough room for lyricism and breathing space…” – Colin Anderson, Classical Source ‘The LSO respond with elan to the bracing textures, confounding the cliché that Schumann “couldn’t orchestrate”. Gardiner chooses the 1841 version of the D minor work, No 4, which the LSO play as if discovering it anew.” – Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times ‘It’s clear straight away that the clarity of Gardiner’s approach, the airiness and rhythmic vitality of the playing pretty much negates the common criticisms of Schumann’s orchestration…Crisp, authoritative and joyful playing from the London Symphony Orchestra.’ – Andrew McGregor, BBC Radio 3 – Record Review ‘Sir John Eliot Gardiner blows off a thick layer of dust off these symphonies…The result is stunning.’ – John Terauds, The Toronto Star
