Mendelssohn, Schumann: Symphonies

Description

Noted for his Haydn and Mozart and for his affinity with 20th-century music from Berg to Bartok to Messiaen, the Hungarian conductor Antal Dorati also demonstrated a particularly idiomatic flair in presenting music of the early romantic era. Of these Mendelssohn and Schumann recordings, all but the Minneapolis ‘Italian’ Symphony are in stereo.

Unlike many of his colleagues, Dorati took pleasure in the process of recording, establishing a happy and concordant working relationship with the husband-and-wife Mercury team of Robert and Wilma Cozart Fine. One of the first fruits of that relationship was a pairing of Mozart’s 40th and Mendelssohn’s 4th symphonies, made in Minneapolis where Dorati had been music director since 1949 and released in 1953 (the Mozart has been reissued separately by Eloquence, coupled with Dorati’s first Haydn recordings and more Mozart).

Dorati directs crisp, flowing accounts which inhabit the sound world of Mendelssohn and Schumann, understood forward from Haydn and Mozart rather than backwards from Brahms and Wagner. He finds in Henryk Szeryng an artistic partner of happy mutual understanding for the Violin Concerto: a justly celebrated recording from 1964 and a classic of the Mercury catalogue, but also a natural companion for Dorati’s light touch in four movements from A Midsummer Night’s Dream which were originally coupled in 1959 with excerpts from Grieg’s score for Peer Gynt.

Schumann’s Fourth was also originally coupled with Dorati’s stereo traversal of Mozart’s 40th. Long unavailable, this receives its first CD release on Decca.

“Dorati pushes the Italian Symphony through with considerable vivacity … a very acceptable version of the work for those listeners seeking in it primarily verve and brilliance.” Gramophone, June 1954 (Italian Symphony)

“A nice, stylish version … much neat and enjoyable solo playing, and some beautiful string tone.” Gramophone, October 1959 (Scottish Symphony)

“His performances are dapper and nicely felt. I particularly like his crisp, vivid approach to the Mendelssohn.” Gramophone, December 1959 (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

“There is propulsive energy here … The London Symphony plays well for Dorati, as always. The recorded sound is transparent and crisp.” Stereo Review, January 1970 (Schumann)

“Great affection and A-1 musicianship.” Stereo Review, January 1966 (Violin Concerto)

*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA
°FIRST INTERNATIONAL CD RELEASE ON DECCA