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

Information

Composer: Franz Schmidt

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

Malmö Symphony Orchestra

Vassily Sinaisky, conductor

Date: 2009

Label: Naxos

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Review

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

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Franz Schmidt (22 December 1874 – 11 February 1939) was an Austro-Hungarian composer. A piano student of Theodor Leschetizky and a composition pupil of Anton Bruckner, he began his career as a cellist with the Vienna Court Opera, where he experienced professional tensions with Gustav Mahler. Schmidt later taught composition at the Vienna Staatsakademie and served as director of the Musikhochschule (1927–31). His music, sometimes compared to Max Reger, includes the opera Notre Dame, the oratorio Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln, four symphonies, left-hand works for Paul Wittgenstein, and organ works.

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Vassily Sinaisky (born 20 April 1947) is a Russian conductor. Trained at the Leningrad Conservatory, he began his career assisting Kirill Kondrashin at the Moscow Philharmonic. He gained international reputation after winning the Gold Medal at the Herbert von Karajan Competition in 1973. Sinaisky has held prominent leadership roles, including Chief Conductor of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Moscow Philharmonic and the Bolshoi Theatre. He has also collaborated with leading orchestras worldwide and produced acclaimed recordings. He teaches at the St Petersburg Conservatoire.

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