Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 5, 2014

Sometimes the student outshines the teacher, which is perhaps one reason why the symphonies of Robert Schumann are sometimes not accorded the respect they deserve. Schumann of course mentored none other than Johannes Brahms, and because Brahms’ symphonic output is generally considered the heir apparent to Beethoven, even some classical music aficionados tend to skip right over the interim work of Schumann. Schumann’s orchestral language obviously highly influenced Brahms, and there are even times in any given Schumann symphony when you can here actual phrases Brahms lifted and made his own in his symphonies.

Despite the oft repeated insistence that physical media is dying, one of the most renowned orchestras in the world has now set out with an enterprise that perhaps hedges its bets a bit by offering both online content (courtesy of a "digital concert hall") and its own label offering CDs and Blu-rays. The Berlin Philharmonic, which has a long and vaunted history with the works of Schumann (including the still fondly remembered recordings with Rafael Kubelik) has now brought out its first deluxe edition release on its eponymous label, offering an extremely handsome set which includes all four of Schumann's symphonies in both audio and video form on Blu-ray, as well as two accompanying CDs offering (obviously) audio only. Simon Rattle's interpretations are relatively boisterous (at least when compared to the more reserved Kubelik), offering a perhaps more emotional "Romantic" account which emphasizes the grandiosity of the emotions over the purity of the architecture.

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Despite being of recent vintage and having been accorded a 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 via the AVC codec, the video element here, at least insofar as the symphonies themselves go, is a bit on the soft and pallid side. The image looks best in close- ups, when clarity is improved and fine detail is rather good. Black levels are a bit milky and contrast is also not quite as pronounced as it might be. There's nothing really horribly awry here, but the performances lack just a bit of visual pop. Ironically, the interview segments and other bonus videos look great, with vividly saturated color and and excellently clear imagery.

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are absolutely no complaints with regard to the superb audio options on this release, LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0 (both 96/24). Both of these tracks offer sterling fidelity, and the 5.0 track offers substantially improved low end (despite the absence of a dedicated LFE channel) and equally improved spatial ambience. The Berlin Philharmonic's playing is largely beyond reproach, and the burnished brass is especially impressive sounding on the 5.0 track.

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This set comes housed in a very handsome quasi-DigiBook with a cloth cover. When opened, the left side has a magnetized compartment holding the CDs and Blu-ray on a spindle (separated by cardstock inserts). On the right side is a softcover pamphlet sewn into the cover containing watercolor illustrations of flowers and text about the symphonies (in German and English). The on disc supplements include:

• Simon Rattle in Conversation (1080p; 25:40)


• Behind the Scenes of the Recording (1080p; 10:34)


• Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall Trailer (1080p; 1:24)


• Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall Behind the Scenes (1080p; 5:07)

Schumann: Symphonies 1-4 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Berlin Philharmonic is off to an incredible start with this new release. Rattle's interpretations are at times surprisingly vigorous, and this set is further enhanced by a very handsome presentation which includes not just CDs and accompanying text, but both audio (only) and video on the Blu-ray disc. This set is available exclusively through the Berlin Philharmonic's website and comes Highly Recommended.