Beethoven Orchester Bonn; Stefan Blunier - Schmidt: Symphony No. 2; R Strauss: Festival Prelude Op. 61

Franz Schmidt was �the most musical man in Vienna� � this is what Gustav Mahler had to say about his fellow composer, who, unlike him, is almost completely forgotten today. Stefan Blunierhas rediscovered this late-romantic master and now with the mighty forces of the Beethoven Orchestra of Bonn presents Schmidt�s Symphony No. 2 together with Richard Strauss�s Festival Prelude composed during the same year for the opening of Vienna�s Konzerthaus.Schmidt calls for a gigantic orchestra for his second symphony. However, behind it all there is a masterfully composed texture with overlapping themes and variations resulting in a cyclical work structure with a systematic logic.By contrast, in the Festival Prelude the musical magician Richard Strauss � once again � aims at big sound. The majestic development of instrumental splendor leaves nobody unmoved.Also available:Franz Schmidt - Symphony No. 4Beethoven Orchester Bonn; Stefan Blunier MDG9371631