Robin Ticciati & SCO - Schumann: The Symphonies - Fanfare

With fine recent cycles from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Thomas Dausgaard's Swedish Chamber Orchestra, the trend these days in Schumann symphony recordings is definitely toward Schumann Lite. Under its young chief conductor, Robin Ticciati, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra joins that growing company with one of the best-sounding Schumann cycles in years. No detail of these meticulously prepared, superbly executed performances escapes the attention of the Linn engineers, and if recorded sound were the sole consideration then this new contender might win hands down.

Along with some of the best playing this orchestra has produced since its glory days under Charles Mackerras - the woodwinds and brass no seem the equal of any ensemble in the still United Kingdom (had the vote fone the other way, would the Queen have had to start paying rent on Balmoral?) - the chief virtues of the performances are their rhythmic vitality and textural clarity. (Naturally, proponents of Schumann Lite would argue that the latter is an inherent advantage - and indeed, the raison d'etre - of the approach; yet somehow, George Szell, with the Cleveland Orchestra at full strength, achieved the kind of X-ray clarity that makes most of the modern sets seem murky in comparison.) Ticciati is at his best in scherzos and finales of the two outer symphonies, especially in the final movement of the "Spring" First Symphony, which dances along in a completely infectious and endearing way.