Seeking Schumann 4th that is listenable


I have this DSD 256 rendition of Schumann Symphony 2 and 4. https://i.imgur.com/TzKJdnp.png It sounds shrill and harsh and I can’t take more than 5 minutes of it. My digital chain is very good although it can’t quite compete with my analog side. I’m leaning towards this recording just being bad even though it came out recently, in 2019 and it is in DSD 256. What’s a good source of high resolution digital classical recordings?

earthtones

Showing 1 response by mahler123

The performance cited in the OP is by John Eliot Gardiner conducting the LSO on their house label.  These recordings are made in the Barbican in London.  The Barbican has terrible acoustics.   I haven’t heard this Schumann set but the Mendelssohn, Nielsennand Sibelius sets from the same venue are so bad acoustically that it is difficult to listen to the actual performance.

  There have been many Schumann symphony cycles released in the past few years so the OP is spoilt for choice.  Using a streaming service to sample these is an excellent idea.  My personal recommendation isThomas Dausgaard conducting the Sweedish Chamber Orchestra .  The Sonics are superb, particularly the DSD layer.  The label, BIS, has a real commitment to sound and quality performers.  I think the Schumann Symphonies benefit from chamber sized orchestras and recordings of great clarity because as people have noted for almost 2 centuries, the details of his orchestration tend to become lost with larger forces.