Franz Schmidt: The Symphonies BBC National Orchestra of Wales & Jonathan Berman

• Franz Schmidt (1874 - 1939): Symphony No. 1 in E Major:
• 1 Schmidt: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: I. Sehr langsam - Sehr lebhaft 11:43
• 2 Schmidt: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: II. Langsam 12:13
• 3 Schmidt: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: III. Schnell und leicht 12:35
• 4 Schmidt: Symphony No. 1 in E Major: IV. Lebhaft, doch nicht zu schnell 10:16
• Symphony No. 2 in E Flat Major:
• 5 Schmidt: Symphony No. 2 in E Flat Major: I. Lebhaft 16:21
• 6 Schmidt: Symphony No. 2 in E Flat Major: II. Allegretto con variazioni - Einfach und zart 19:52
• 7 Schmidt: Symphony No. 2 in E Flat Major: III. Finale: Langsam 15:30
• Symphony No. 3 in A Major:
• 8 Schmidt: Symphony No. 3 in A Major: I. Allegro molto moderato 15:59
• 9 Schmidt: Symphony No. 3 in A Major: II. Adagio 10:47
• 10 Schmidt: Symphony No. 3 in A Major: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Molto più tranquillo 11:12
• 11 Schmidt: Symphony No. 3 in A Major: IV. Lento - Allegro vivace 12:41
• Symphony No. 4 in C Major:
• 12 Schmidt: Symphony No. 4 in C Major: Allegro molto moderato 14:50
• 13 Schmidt: Symphony No. 4 in C Major: Adagio 13:40
• 14 Schmidt: Symphony No. 4 in C Major: Molto vivace 07:11
• 15 Schmidt: Symphony No. 4 in C Major: Tempo primo un poco sostenuto 10:21
• Intermezzo and Carnival Music from "Notre Dame":
• 16 Schmidt: Intermezzo and Carnival Music from "Notre Dame": Sehr breit - Mäßig schnell 04:17
• 17 Schmidt: Intermezzo and Carnival Music from "Notre Dame": Langsam 03:38
• 18 Schmidt: Intermezzo and Carnival Music from "Notre Dame": Lebhaft 06:40
• Total Runtime 03:29:46

Info for Franz Schmidt: The Symphonies

“In conversations about Franz Schmidt the recurring theme emerging for many is that listening to a performance of his music at a young age became the turning point in their lives the realization of how powerful music can be,” says Jonathan Berman, whose longtime love of Franz Schmidt’s work has its origins in a performance preparation for his Fourth Symphony.

Berman’s passion for Schmidt’s work and the composer’s upcoming 150th birthday in 2024 were key reasons for the conductor to approach the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to record all four symphonies together – a major project that also marks Jonathan Berman’s album debut.

The recordings were realized between 2020 and 2022 at BBC Hoddinott Hall, the home of the BBC NOW in Cardiff. BBC Music Magazine wrote about the digital pre-release of the first symphony in March 2021: “Jonathan Berman and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales deliver a terrific performance which provides a fine alternative to the excellent version from Paavo Järvi. […] [W]hat really makes this new recording so enticing is the sheer energy and enthusiasm with which conductor and orchestra communicate the vigour and optimism of the opening movement.”

BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jonathan Berman, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Franz Schmidt: The Symphonies