Schmidt: The Symphonies

Jonathan Berman's passion for Franz Schmidt's work and the composer's 150th birthday next year prompted him to record all four symphonies together with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Schmidt wrote his Symphony No. 1 at the age of 22, and his contrapuntal skills are evident even at this early stage, especially in the finale. Symphony No. 2 followed in 1913, a full 17 years later, and requires a very large orchestra. The 3rd Symphony, which is particularly melodic and harmonically masterful, was released in 1928. Schmidt composed his final symphony in 1933 and called it a "Requiem for my daughter" – she had passed away in childbirth.