The Franz Schmidt Project
The Franz Schmidt Project is a far-reaching project to perform and promote the music of Franz Schmidt (1874-1939).
The Franz Schmidt Project has been set up by conductor Jonathan Berman, who will record all four of Schmidt’s symphonies with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, forming the backbone of The Franz Schmidt Project leading to the composer’s 150th Birthday in 2024.
In addition, this site will monitor and promote performances and recordings of Schmidt’s music by other artists, press articles about the composer, media interviews and other related activity, all with the goal of celebrating his music and developing a wider appreciation of his outstanding talent.
“This for me is the essence of Schmidt’s language. Even though he expresses many different emotions, creates many varied characters, and even references many styles of music, it is his awareness and care taken over every line, every interval of his music which I find so bewitching. There is a natural or organic quality which like many things in life appears simple but takes a great amount of work to achieve.”
JONATHAN BERMAN, ATELIER CRESCENDO
REFLECTIONS
On Schmidt’s First Symphony with BBC NOW for Accentus Records
– click here to read
On Schmidt’s Third Symphony with BBC NOW for Accentus Records
– click here to watch
On Schmidt’s Phantasiestuck – click here to read
Video Series Episode 1 with Franz-Welser Möst – click here to watch
Video Series Episode 2 with Wayne Marshall – click here to watch
Video Series Episode 3 with Simone Young – click here to watch
PRESS QUOTES
Schmidt Symphony No. 1
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Accentus Records/Release date: 26 March 2021
A potent performance from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Jonathan Berman. Full of life, energy and optimism. Berman communicates the natural organic quality he finds in the music which seems so simple he says but takes a great amount of work to achieve. Excellent recording as well and I'm delighted to say that they're going to complete the series of all four symphonies in the run-up to the composer's 150th birthday in 2024. BBC Radio 3 Record Review
This performance is about a minute longer than its rivals, but the BBC National Orchestra
of Wales plays beautifully throughout, the recorded sound is spacious, nothing drags, and Berman teases beauty from every little fillip of sound. Fanfare
Berman and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales deliver a terrific performance...what really makes this new recording so enticing is the sheer energy and enthusiasm with which conductor and orchestra communicate the vigour and optimism of the opening movement. BBC Music Magazine
Berman who studied under Jac van Steen (formerly principal guest conductor at BBC NOW between 2005 and 2013) and his Cardiff team make a strong case for the revival of Schmidt’s overlooked, yet sumptuously scored music… Debts to Strauss (notably echoes of Don Juan) also appear in the opening movement, its energy and optimism fully realised under Berman’s invigorating baton, with commendably agile strings allied to shapely brass and woodwind phrasing. There’s plenty of grace and elegance in the Brucknerian slow movement, with much to enjoy from sonorous horns and bird-like flute contributions that variously add to its pastoral mood… the second of this movement’s two Trio sections under Berman (musicologist Harold Truscott believes there is only one) is wonderfully dreamlike, string tone now perfumed to match the music’s languor… For those unfamiliar with Franz Schmidt, this recent issue makes a fine introduction and is well worth exploring. Wales Art Review
Schmidt Symphony No. 4
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/21 September 2022
The Cleveland Orchestra/6 August 2022
The requiem-like Fourth Symphony of Franz Schmidt, this Wednesday matinee concert cast aside potential despair with performances that coupled deep, in some cases brutal, intensity with sparkling brio. It was clearly music that struck a sympathetic chord with conductor Jonathan Berman, a message he imparted through spoken words, but then turned these thoughts into rich, meaningful music… Opening with a soulful, unaccompanied trumpet solo – as hauntingly poignant as Aaron Copland’s in Quiet City – the mood in this thoughtful performance, and as the fuller orchestra gradually announced its presence, was captivating… If you’ve never heard a Schmidt symphony – Berman has been recording all four of them with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales – this final one is a powerful introduction. Even with its mournful message.
Vox Carnyx
A serious and dedicated performance… the Cleveland Orchestra gave Schmidt the honour of exquisite playing, and Berman clearly knows the work, directing it imperiously.
Seen and Heard International
The orchestra couldn’t have asked for a more committed interpreter than Berman.
Cleveland Classical