Vienna Symphony Orchestra/ Fabio Luisi Orfeo C 717 102H (2 CDs) ***

Schumann is a composer whose symphonies don’t always sound happy in their skin. Or, at least, not in their orchestration, which has been much criticised over the years for its instrumental doublings and the resulting thickness of sound. That’s always seemed to me more a matter of conductor responsibility than composer error. And Fabio Luisi’s new recordings of the symphonies, taped at concerts

in Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus, show just how natural the orchestral flow can be, especially in the fast movements, both in terms

of instrumental balances and pacing. Luisi is not quite as successful in the slower movements, and the marvellous Adagio of the Second is disappointing. The always remarkable Konzertstückfor four horns is done with finesse as well as impact. See url.ie/6f5v