Schumann: The Four Symphonies

Wolfgang Sawallisch and the Dresden Staatskapelle make fitting and eloquent interpreters of Schumann's four symphonies, each a highly distinctive work. The city of Dresden was the composer's home for six years, while Sawallisch was a keen advocate of his large-scale works. For all the energy and passion that Sawallisch communicates in these performances, he does not impose himself on the music; he is content to illuminate and reinforce Schumann's inspired, if sometimes idiosyncratic arguments.