The Symphony No. 3's nickname, 'Rhenish', was not given by Schumann himself, but by his friends, referring to the Rhineland as his source of inspiration.
Recording & Production
This recording is part of the 'Opening Doors' series by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, which allows for direct comparison with the first version of Schumann's Fourth Symphony, available on BIS-SACD-1519.
Compositional Technique
Schumann's Symphony No. 3 expands the traditional symphonic form from four to five movements, exploring new territory in its overall structure.
Composition History
Schumann's Symphony No. 3, known as the 'Rhenish', was one of his first gifts to his new home town of Düsseldorf, composed in November-December 1850.
Composer Biography
Robert Schumann, his wife Clara (a renowned pianist), and their six children moved to Düsseldorf in 1850 for him to take up the position of municipal director of music.
Composition History
Schumann's Symphony No. 4 was originally composed in 1841 but he disliked it so much after its premiere that he put it aside, only reorchestrating and accepting it in 1853.
Critical Reception
Johannes Brahms, who possessed the manuscript of Schumann's original 1841 version of the Fourth Symphony, considered the later 1851 revision to be 'too bulky and garish'.
