Schumann: Symphony Nos. 1 & 2 (Re-orchestrated by Mahler)

Robert Schumann’s works lie at the centre of German Romanticism, with an essentially lyrical style that reflects his quintessential place among the great German composers. From 1840 Schumann switched from writing, primarily, piano music and Lieder, to writing orchestral music, with the joyful First Symphony written in just four days, and the uplifting tone of the Second Symphony a remarkable triumph over depression and illness. But the effectiveness of Schumann’s orchestration in his symphonies has been the cause of much debate. Gustav Mahler’s re-orchestrations from the early 1900s provide models of tasteful modification that are suited to the larger orchestras of today.

Robert Schumann’s symphonies are deservedly popular, the undeniable quality of their music transcending any doubts about their original orchestration. Today’s historically informed performances have brought us closer to Schumann’s original conception, but Mahler’s subtle re-orchestrations were made in the light of instrumental developments and the increase in size of the typical symphony orchestra towards the beginning of the 20th century, and as a result are still of great benefit today.