Naxos’s critically acclaimed series of Franz Schmidt’s lush late Romantic symphonies culminates with this new recording of his heartbreaking Symphony No. 4, conceived as a requiem for his daughter Emma.
The Variations on a Hussar’s Song, while recalling similar works by Brahms and Reger nonetheless showcases Schmidt’s sensitive handling of large orchestral forces.
Symphonies No. 1 (8570828), No. 2 (8570589) and No. 3 (8572119) are also available.
Let there be doubt, Franz Schmidt's Fourth (1933) is one of the finest of 20th-century symphonies...Sinaisky's previous recordings in this series have shown him to be a most sympathetic interpreter...So generally it proves here...Sinaisky undeniably makes his pacing work.
The sound is once more among the best of Naxos's orchestral releases, while the couplings could not be more appropriate...Those coming new to [the Schmidt symphonies] could not hope for a better entrée than through Sinaisky's persuasive readings.
Sinaisky conveys the work's impacted grandeur and its cast-iron structural integrity very well indeed, and the Malmö orchestra rises to the challenge of its great climaxes most impressively.
Works Schmidt, F: Symphony No. 4 in C major Schmidt, F: Variations on a Hussar's Song Conductors Sinaisky, Vassily Groups & Artists Malmo Symphony Orchestra Label
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