Brahms Symphony Cycles

[Beef Oven!]

SZELL/ CLEVELAND... the greatest set IMV

I have that set

[richardfinegold]

I really like the First Symphony from that set, and the rest of it is certainly competitive. I was disappointed with the last remasterings except in the First. 2-4 still retain that airless, cramped acoustic that plagued the lps

[HighlandDougie]

Superb set!

I've got more Brahms cycles than the cat had kittens but any views on the newish Boston SO/Nelsons cycle?

I downloaded the Boston SO/Nelsons in hi-res format when they were released and listen to them often. As one might expect from this source, glorious playing, recorded in one of the world’s acoustically finest concert halls, straightforward performances which are alive to the nuances in the scores. I think of them as the Szell equivalent for the 2010’s. And on Szell, the recent (Japanese) reissue of the stereo cycle plus an earlier 1st in 2-channel SACD mode has the recordings come up as fresh as paint. Much better sounding in every way than either the LPs (at least the 4th which I still have) and earlier CDs.

[BBMmk2]

Haitink's recent LSO Live set is rather good, methinks!

[Joseph K]

I thought I'd bump this thread so it's easier for me to find so I can read it later. But I guess if there have been any Brahms symphony cycles that have been released since this thread, I would like to hear about them - I want a set to replace mine which was stolen ages ago. So I'm interested in people's favourites.

[pastoralguy]

I thought I'd bump this thread so it's easier for me to find so I can read it later. But I guess if there have been any Brahms symphony cycles that have been released since this thread, I would like to hear about them - I want a set to replace mine which was stolen ages ago. So I'm interested in people's favourites.

Imvho, there have been many terrific sets of these works but my favourites still remain the CfP set from the 1970’s with The Hallé and James Loughran.

[Barbirollians]

I thought I'd bump this thread so it's easier for me to find so I can read it later. But I guess if there have been any Brahms symphony cycles that have been released since this thread, I would like to hear about them - I want a set to replace mine which was stolen ages ago. So I'm interested in people's favourites.

If you want modern sound I would say Chailly.

[Edgy 2]

I thought I'd bump this thread so it's easier for me to find so I can read it later. But I guess if there have been any Brahms symphony cycles that have been released since this thread, I would like to hear about them - I want a set to replace mine which was stolen ages ago. So I'm interested in people's favourites.

My favourite, released well before this thread started though , is Cleveland Orchestra / George Szell

[jayne lee wilson]

I thought I'd bump this thread so it's easier for me to find so I can read it later. But I guess if there have been any Brahms symphony cycles that have been released since this thread, I would like to hear about them - I want a set to replace mine which was stolen ages ago. So I'm interested in people's favourites.

I haven't heard much of it, but the Scottish CO/Ticciati is a highly-regarded recent one. The Tapiola Sinfonietta/Venzago is a 2018 release I'm very fond of, but is well out-of-left-field, very subjective, very different and occasionally downright bizarre, so if you are considering a purchase I couldn't recommend it hand-on-heart. It does include both serenades though, beautifully played (but with an oddly omitted reprise in No.1 (ii). Typical Venzago, then....

The Classic sets for me now would be either of the Norringtons (SWR or LCP) or (mentioned here before) Manze on CPO.

I love almost everything Brahms wrote, more and more as I age, so I love to hear a new and startling take on them. Although I tend to listen to the chamber music more now.

[Joseph K]

Thanks for the replies.

Right now I think I might take a punt on the Ticciati with the Scottish CO - since I quite liked no. 4 played by the COE under Harnoncourt. Reading a review of the Ticciati on amazon has made me think I might balance out this more HIPP approach with something not so HIPP - about which I am as yet undecided (I might just see if I can buy another copy of my set that was stolen - the Staatskapelle Dresden under Sanderling).

[Barbirollians]

Thanks for the replies.

Right now I think I might take a punt on the Ticciati with the Scottish CO - since I quite liked no. 4 played by the COE under Harnoncourt. Reading a review of the Ticciati on amazon has made me think I might balance out this more HIPP approach with something not so HIPP - about which I am as yet undecided (I might just see if I can buy another copy of my set that was stolen - the Staatskapelle Dresden under Sanderling).

I thought the Ticciati was soulless- I would look for a second hand copy of the Sanderling ! Top class set .

[Joseph K]

I thought the Ticciati was soulless- I would look for a second hand copy of the Sanderling ! Top class set .

I'm now expecting both in the post.

[Barbirollians]

I'm now expecting both in the post.

What did you make of the Ticciati ?

[Joseph K]

What did you make of the Ticciati ?

As reported on the What Are You Listening To Now thread, I liked it very much. I prefer it to the Sanderling...

[Barbirollians]

As reported on the What Are You Listening To Now thread, I liked it very much. I prefer it to the Sanderling...

Interesting - I can’t keep up with that thread !!