Schumann - The Symphonies

The Guardian 60

(Sony Classical, two CDs)
Staatskapelle Dresden/Thielemann
The Staatskapelle’s sumptuous playing is hard to fault, but conductor Thielemann is too overblown at times

Christian Thielemann has recorded the Schumann symphonies before, with the Philharmonia for Deutsche Grammophon, two decades ago. But this new set comes from concerts that Thielemann and the Dresden Staatskapelle gave on tour in Suntory Hall in Tokyo last autumn, released now to mark Thielemann’s 60th birthday this month.