Reviews

(of all Jonathan Berman’s performances of Schmidt and his recording of the 1st symphony)

Cleveland Orchestra & Jonathan Berman in Schmidt Symphony 4:

"serious and dedicated performance…..the Cleveland Orchestra gave the Schmidt the honour of exquisite playing"

Seen and Heard International 

"The orchestra couldn’t have asked for a more committed interpreter than Berman…."

Cleveland Classical

Royal Scottish National Orchestra & Jonathan Berman in Schmidt Symphony no. 4

“…..the requiem-like Fourth Symphony of Franz Schmidt, this Wednesday matinee concert cast aside potential despair with performances that coupled deep, in some cases brutal, intensity with sparkling brio.

It was clearly music that struck a sympathetic chord with conductor Jonathan Berman, a message he imparted through spoken words, but then turned these thoughts into rich, meaningful music.

Schmidt’s Symphony No 4 – written by the Austro-Hungarian composer in 1934 essentially as a requiem to his only daughter who died at birth – was anything but incomplete. In four continuous movements, and loaded with the naturally gnawing pathos that comes from a style rooted in Mahler and Richard Strauss but peppered with Second Viennese School influences, its wholeness is both emotional and literal. 

Opening with a soulful, unaccompanied trumpet solo – as hauntingly poignant as Aaron Copland’s in Quiet City – the mood in this thoughtful performance, and as the fuller orchestra gradually announced its presence, was captivating. Even the throbbing funereal underlay of the Adagio seemed less than grave with the cello solo rising above it. A frisky Scherzo, cut short in its prime, lifted the spirits higher yet before the Finale’s ultimate return to the quietude of the opening, that keening trumpet drawing magically to a final solitary note. 

If you’ve never heard a Schmidt symphony – Berman has been recording all four of them with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – this final one is a powerful introduction. Even with its mournful message.

Vox Carynx, RSNO 

BBC National Orchestra of Wales | Jonathan Berman, Franz Schmidt - Symphony Nr.1
Accentus Music, Digital Download

"A potent performance from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Jonathan Berman. Full of life, energy and optimism. Berman communicates the natural organic quality he finds in the music which seems so simple he says but takes a great amount of work to achieve. Excellent recording as well and I'm delighted to say that they're going to complete the series of all four symphonies in the run-up to the composer's 150th birthday in 2024. It is going to be a physical set when it is released and, in the meantime, they will be available as downloads from the ACCENTUS label.”

BBC Radio 3 | Record Review | Andrew McGregor
Sat 14 Aug

"... energy and optimism fully realised under Berman’s invigorating baton ... "
"Berman and his Cardiff team make a strong case for the revival of Schmidt’s overlooked, yet sumptuously scored music."
"... a fine introduction and is well worth exploring.”

Wales Art Review

"Jonathan Berman and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales deliver a terrific performance .... what really makes this new recording so enticing is the sheer energy and enthusiasm with which conductor and orchestra communicate the vigour and optimism ... "
4 Stars **** from Erik Levi in the BBC Music Magazine