Robin Ticciati & SCO - Schumann: The Symphonies - MusicWeb International

Effectively 2 CDs for the price of one, the Linn is about the least expensive way to obtain the complete Schumann symphonies...

The odd slightly ungainly tempo change in the finale apart, Ticciati gives just as joyous an account of the Spring symphony as Krips - my first recording of the work, on 10" Decca - or Sawallisch, my current benchmark...the Linn is likely to become one of my benchmarks in future alongside the other favourites that I've mentioned, especially as the recording is good, even in 16-bit and mp3 format.  This version of the Rhenish doesn't quite efface memories of Szell, another old favourite which I owned on a Columbia Epic LP: Ticciati lingers a little more, but his is in the same league of life-enhancing performances.  If you think Szell too fast, you may prefer Ticciati...The finale on Linn, aided by some hearty thwacks with wooden drum-sticks, brings the house down.