Brahms Symphony Cycles

[cloughie]

There is also Kempe's 1970s Munich Philharmonic cycle (on Ariola Eurodisc) which is very fine. As is the later Sanderling cycle (with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra) - and I have a weakness for Celi/Munich PO (on EMI), although it is very slow at times.

Is that the one in the bargain box with the live recordings of Beethoven Syms with PO Klemperer?

[HighlandDougie]

Is that the one in the bargain box with the live recordings of Beethoven Syms with PO Klemperer?

That's the one. There are, though, some execrable transfers around so I'm not sure quite what the sound would be like in the box (probably OK as they seem to be the same licensed copies as were used by the usually reliable Scribendum). I have the Arts issues, which, alas, now seem to be quite dear.

[Barbirollians]

Though of course there are marvellous one-off records of the symphonies too - the live Karajan referred to above , the Carlos Kleiber and Chicago Giulini 4ths and the Monteux VPO Second for a start .

[Barbirollians]

Shame that Ancerl only appears to have recorded the First and Second for Supraphon - they are special too.

[cloughie]

That's the one. There are, though, some execrable transfers around so I'm not sure quite what the sound would be like in the box (probably OK as they seem to be the same licensed copies as were used by the usually reliable Scribendum). I have the Arts issues, which, alas, now seem to be quite dear.

Am I correct in thinking they were issued on LP in the seventies on the BASF label?

[cloughie]

Shame that Ancerl only appears to have recorded the First and Second for Supraphon - they are special too.

With a really good Double Concerto with Suk and Navarra as the coupling to No2

[HighlandDougie]

Am I correct in thinking they were issued on LP in the seventies on the BASF label?

Well-remembered. I thought that the label was Ariola* but, no, it was BASF. I have no idea who now has the rights but it's a shame that they are not more widely available, given the superiority of the recording quality to the 1950s BPO set.

* Ah, that was the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra in the 2nd.

[BBMmk2]

I have Klemperer's, Jansons, Abbado's, the Liszt goes on! they are sometimes, I find, quite boring, dirgy, or plain, even! I think it depends on the conductor. Klemperer can be rather dirgy, at times, ponderous. I think I have Kempe, somewhere?

[Petrushka]

(T)hey are sometimes, I find, quite boring, dirgy, or plain, even! I think it depends on the conductor. Klemperer can be rather dirgy, at times, ponderous.

Nay, nay and thrice nay! Brahms is full of surging passion and anything but plain or boring. Once these kind of misconceptions take root they are awfully difficult to shake off. Give them another go, BBM, and listen afresh.

[Beef Oven!]

Nay, nay and thrice nay! Brahms is full of surging passion and anything but plain or boring. Once these kind of misconceptions take root they are awfully difficult to shake off. Give them another go, BBM, and listen afresh.

I’m beginning to get it, Petrushka.

I must say I found Brahms boring, but I’m coming round to his music as very thrusting and dare I say, macho?

Not Bruckner though, is it?

[richardfinegold]

I’m beginning to get it, Petrushka.

I must say I found Brahms boring, but I’m coming round to his music as very thrusting and dare I say, macho?

Not Bruckner though, is it?

Brahms would have taken that last sentiment as a compliment .

[richardfinegold]

Nay, nay and thrice nay! Brahms is full of surging passion and anything but plain or boring. Once these kind of misconceptions take root they are awfully difficult to shake off. Give them another go, BBM, and listen afresh.

Listening to the Levine/Chicago cycle a few days ago, I found myself wondering why some Brahms recordings just don't move me, while others do. On paper, that pairing ought to be a winner, but it just isn't, somehow. I never have that problem with Beethoven, as every recording or concert of any of his Symphonies works on some level. In other words, Beethoven is 'Conductor proof' but not so much Brahms, or any of the great Romantic Symphonists, from Berlioz to Vaughn Williams

[Beef Oven!]

Brahms would have taken that last sentiment as a compliment .

[mathias broucek]

Some very good live recordings of Brahms out there.

We've already discussed Furtwangler, Toscanini with the Philharmonia, Celi (not just on EMI, the SWR/DG tapes are also good as is the MPO 4th on Altus) and the Karajan 1st on Testament. Some other good ones are:

Stokey / LSO 1st on Cala
Bohm / LSO 2nd on Andante
Jochum / VPO 2nd on Altus
Various RCO 4ths with Jochum (Tahra), Giulini and Blomstedt (RCO Anthologies)
Jochum /SKD 4th on Weitblick (sp?)
And umpteen unofficial Carlos Kleiber versions of 2 and 4

[Beef Oven!]

Some very good live recordings of Brahms out there.

We've already discussed Furtwangler, Toscanini with the Philharmonia, Celi (not just on EMI, the SWR/DG tapes are also good as is the MPO 4th on Altus) and the Karajan 1st on Testament. Some other good ones are:

Stokey / LSO 1st on Cala
Bohm / LSO 2nd on Andante
Jochum / VPO 2nd on Altus
Various RCO 4ths with Jochum (Tahra), Giulini and Blomstedt (RCO Anthologies)
Jochum /SKD 4th on Weitblick (sp?)
And umpteen unofficial Carlos Kleiber versions of 2 and 4

Regarding the Karajan live RFH on testament, I’ve had that CD since it was first released and I agree with everyone how great it is. However, I enjoy HvK’s 1955 #2 on EMI, much more. I think this is more about the music than the performance. Isn’t Brahms’ symphony #1 overwrought?