Symphony No. 3 / Chaconne

"Schmidt's symphonies would make a pretty powerful impression for any orchestra running an audiophile series. Schmidt loved Bruckner's music and was Mahler's first cellist in Vienna. The result is something more purposeful than Bruckner, less neurotic than Mahler, and neither sentimental nor sweet but rather by using the brass and the strings to mix it up more, and to restore a little more respect for the woodwinds. Sinaisky communicates an interest in tone and texture that the Swedish orchestra takes to heart and adds warmth and body." (Five Stars AudAud.com)

Franz Schmidt's Third Symphony was composed in 1927-28, dedicated to and premièred by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, winning a first prize from the Columbia Graphophone Company of New York for the best symphony in the spirit of Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony as part of the centenary commemorations of Schubert's birth. Schmidt's symphony is lyrical, includes a set of variations, a Ländler-like Scherzo and finale rich in thematic invention. In 1931 Schmidt added wind and percussion instruments and a large body of strings to his monumental Chaconne for organ, in which form it too was premièred by the Vienna Philharmonic.