Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt - Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt Edition – Volume 1 (2023) [Hi-Res]

“Schmidt-Isserstedt is the man for the job. His reading is strong, spacious and noble, and the symphony emerges at its full tragic stature. The playing and recording are in every way worthy of him.” The Times, August 1953 (Dvořák: Symphony No. 7)

“This well-engineered recording deserves repeated hearing.” The Times, March 1959 (Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4)

“Schmidt-Isserstedt partners Backhaus knowingly and the Vienna Philharmonic plays magnificently … That such a strong and virile reading should be the product of fingers that have been playing this work for 60 years and more is a remarkable tribute to the stamina and discipline of one of music’s elder statesmen.” Stereo Review, July 1960 (Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5)

“Schmidt-Isserstedt and the Vienna Philharmonic supply a superb accompaniment … the pianist is now in his late seventies, but his pianistic powers seemingly are undimmed: he plays the G major Concerto with masterful clarity and freshness, and his technical equipment is prodigious.” Stereo Review, April 1962 (Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4)

“The playing has innigkeit, the sense of concentration that to my mind is the first essential in Beethoven.” Gramophone, September 1966 (Beethoven: Symphony No. 9)

“The performance has, above all, the great virtues of clarity and crackling tension, achieved through a sense of big line, some careful, crisp ensemble articulation and phrasing, and an attractive, clean, clear recorded sound.” Stereo Review, March 1967 (Beethoven: Symphony No. 9)

“I have no reservations about this performance; the scale and style seem just right.” Gramophone, September 1968 (Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 6)

“His Fifth, though golden-toned and mellow, is thoroughly galvanic. Tempos are militant but not rushed; phrasing is expansive yet direct and uncluttered.” High Fidelity, February 1970 (Beethoven: Symphony No. 5)

“First-class, musically penetrating performances, superbly played and wonderfully well recorded.” High Fidelity, February 1970 (Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2)

“Here is an absolute winner … a magnificent culmination to Schmidt-Isserstedt’s Beethoven symphony cycle.” Gramophone, May 1970 (Beethoven: Symphony No. 7)

“Long a classic … There is charm; there is excitement. Schmidt-Isserstedt cannot be faulted.” Gramophone, May 1970 (Dvořák: Symphony No. 7)

“Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt made the Vienna Philharmonic play in a civilised, sedate, intensely musical manner. Nothing is forced or ugly. Beethovenian, yes, gutty and articulate, but always with a full mellow tone, unstrenuous in its very strenuousness.” Gramophone, September 1977 (Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9)

“I loved Schmidt-Isserstedt’s patience, thoughtfulness and musicality.” Gramophone, August 2020 (Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5)