The much-travelled Sir Neville Marriner here establishes a productive new partnership with the splendid Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. On the evidence of this Schumann coupling, the orchestra has first-class ensemble: the string textures full, clear and homogenous, woodwind not lacking individuality in solos but nicely blended overall, the brass incisive but not blatant, and the overall balance highly effective against an excellent 'broadcasting-studio ambience' that is not too dry, offering clear detail. The digital recording is first class and one notes that when the strings songfully play the Larghetto of the symphony, the body of timbre is full and believable, yet there is an attractive brightness and bite in the allegros. Marriner's approach is impressively direct throughout, rhythms are nicely sprung, and there is certainly a spring-like freshness in the symphony, which is admirably paced throughout. The woodwind phrasing is supple and the second subject of the first movement is particularly effective. Marriner makes a dramatic moment of the return of the opening brass fanfare and maintains the tension to the end of the movement.
The couplings are generous (there is about an hour's music offered) and a good case is made for Manfred, not one of Schumann's most inspired pieces. The Overture, Scherzo and Finale is not treated too heavily, with the first movement recapturing the sparkling mood of the finale of the symphony and with the clean and never heavy articulation of the strings offering a special pleasure. The apotheosis-like closing section avoids melodrama and has considerable lyrical power.'