Franz Schmidt - Symphony No. 2; Fuga Solemnis (Vassily Sinaisky)

Information

Composer: Franz Schmidt

• (01) Symphony No. 2 in E flat major
• (04) Fuga Solemnis for organ, sixteen wind instruments and percussion

Anders Johnsson, organ (4)
Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Vassily Sinaisky, conductor

Date: 2009
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570589

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Review

Splendid second instalment to Sinaisky’s Schmidt symphony series

The benchmark for the Second Symphony was set down by Neeme Järvi and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, an exhilarating account that still ranks as one of the finest interpretations of his music. Composed in 1911-13, it remains that rare combination, a work of tremendous immediate appeal and a compositional tour de force. Its three movements share thematic links reinforcing the impression of craftsmanship about this score, but the exuberance of the melodic invention and rich orchestration sweep such academic considerations aside through its sheer physical impact.

It is this physicality that makes such a lasting impression, such that once heard it is not forgotten. Thus the beguiling opening paragraph draws one into what seems a benign and peaceful musical environment only for this to be swept away by the invigorating developments that ensue.

Sinaisky and the Malmö Symphony get into the swing of Schmidt’s freewheeling invention and with a splendid recording from Naxos (although not quite in the Chandos league) at budget price this is self-recommending. The price edges them past Fabio Luisi on Querstand (not the easiest label to track down) and there is the added bonus of the late, celebratory Fuga solemnis for organ, brass and percussion (1937), written to inaugurate a new instrument in Vienna. Even if one has the symphony already, I urge you to try this newcomer. One cannot have too much Schmidt.

-- Guy Rickards, Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: ****
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/Feb10/Schmidt_2_8570589.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/oct/15/schmidt-symphony-no2-fuga-solemnis-review
https://www.allmusic.com/album/franz-schmidt-symphony-no-2-fuga-solemnis-mw0001871885
https://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.570589&languageid=EN
https://www.amazon.com/Schmidt-Symphony-No-Chaconne-minor/dp/B003NA7GA6

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Franz Schmidt (22 December 1874 – 11 February 1939) was an Austrian composer, cellist and pianist. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory with Robert Fuchs, Ferdinand Hellmesberger and Anton Bruckner. As a composer, Schmidt was slow to develop, but his reputation, at least in Austria, saw a steady growth from the late 1890s until his death in 1939. In his music, Schmidt continued to develop the Viennese classic-romantic traditions he inherited from Schubert, Brahms and his own master, Bruckner. As a teacher, Schmidt trained numerous musicians, conductors and composers who later achieved fame.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Schmidt

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Vassily Sinaisky (born April 20, 1947 in Abez, Komi Republic) is a Russian conductor and pianist. He studied conducting with Ilya Musin at the Leningrad Conservatory and began his career as assistant to Kirill Kondrashin at the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1973, he won the Gold Medal at the Karajan Competition in Berlin. Sinaisky lead the Latvian National Symphony (1976-1989), the Moscow Philharmonic (1991-1996) and the Malmö Symphony (2007-2011). He was Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic (1996-2012) and made several recordings with them for Chandos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassily_Sinaisky

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