Ashkenazy Conducts Schumann

Vladimir Ashkenazy has long since retired from performance as a pianist. He was one of the greatest of his generation and his many recordings will attest to his importance. But for many years he has also excelled as a conductor. He has held many conducting appointments including one as principal guest conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. He is currently music director of the Sydney Symphony in Australia. 

Ashkenazy is not the most proficient nor the most charismatic of conductors but he invariably has a keen understanding of the music he conducts and conveys his ideas with great passion. In this video he leads the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in the final movement from Schumann's Symphony No. 2. The musicians play as if possessed and with Ashkenazy at the helm make Schumann's music intense and exciting.

Paul E. Robinson