Brahms Symphony Cycles

[Alison]

This thread has certainly put me in a Brahmsian mood, Pet.

Back to work on Wednesday, I'm aiming for a Brahms cycle of my own - and will take in at least one Rattle.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Do agree! At school music lessons when I was about 12 our music teacher had us singing Gaudeamas Igitur along with the Overture as it played on the turntable. It's a rousing tune and must be one of the first memories I have of classical music.

With classes of eight-year-olds, I got them singing "Seven Eights are Fifty-six".

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Much the same here. I bought that set on the day it came out but have hardly played it since. Memory says performances are fine but others do them better. 'Little urge to relisten' about sums it up.

Yes - I have the cycle, but haven't played it in years. I remember thinking that it was good, but no better than, say, Böhm with the same orchestra.

[EdgeleyRob]

Well I never realised that the Academic Festival Overture is regarded as a lesser light,I've always loved it,even more than that Tragic one.

[Petrushka]

This thread has certainly put me in a Brahmsian mood, Pet.

Back to work on Wednesday, I'm aiming for a Brahms cycle of my own - and will take in at least one Rattle.

Back on Tuesday for me I've not yet done a composite cycle and that's an idea. Took delivery of Szell yesterday and currently awaiting Munich PO/Kempe so plenty of Brahms to look forward to.

[visualnickmos]

Back on Tuesday for me I've not yet done a composite cycle and that's an idea. Took delivery of Szell yesterday and currently awaiting Munich PO/Kempe so plenty of Brahms to look forward to.

You're going to love this set, I'm certain....

Kempe in Munich - I don't know it, but it surely has the right hallmarks...

Enjoy

[Alison]

Started my cycle with

Symphony 1
LPO/Klaus Tennstedt

BBC Legends

A heartwarming 1990 live account in the best Tennstedt romantic tradition. Also available is a later 1992 performance on the LPO label, possibly even finer. Both far superior to the earlier studio version on EMI.

[Petrushka]

You're going to love this set, I'm certain....

Kempe in Munich - I don't know it, but it surely has the right hallmarks...

Enjoy

Just finished playing Szell's recording of the Symphony No 1 and it's a terrific performance, a thrilling roller coaster ride from the very first note. It sounds as if recorded in a single take and it wouldn't surprise me if it was.

[Beef Oven!]

Just finished playing Szell's recording of the Symphony No 1 and it's a terrific performance, a thrilling roller coaster ride from the very first note. It sounds as if recorded in a single take and it wouldn't surprise me if it was.

Which release is this? The normal Sony?

[Petrushka]

Which release is this? The normal Sony?

I got it off Amazon France last week and now cheaper than I got it for https://www.amazon.fr/Brahms-4-Symph...mphonies+szell

[Beef Oven!]

I got it off Amazon France last week and now cheaper than I got it for https://www.amazon.fr/Brahms-4-Symph...mphonies+szell

Thanks very much Petrushka.

I’ve gone for 3 second hand copies from Amazon UK Marketplace. Total came to £6.60 including p&p.

[cloughie]

Thanks very much Petrushka.

I’ve gone for 3 second hand copies from Amazon UK Marketplace. Total came to £6.60 including p&p.

I think we are overdue a large Szell box from Sony - maybe with Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann Symphonies and orchestral music.

[DoctorT]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned the Rattle Brahms cycle.

No-one has mentioned Norrington's cycle either!

[Petrushka]

I think we are overdue a large Szell box from Sony - maybe with Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann Symphonies and orchestral music.

I agree and have made the same point on the Forum before but I couldn't resist this set especially at the price offered.

[Petrushka]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but another set of which I'm particularly fond is Eugen Jochum's cycle with the BPO. It's 1950s mono sound which is a pity but the DG remastering is excellent and they are as fiery and propulsive as the Szell. I've not heard his later LPO set but would imagine it has something of the same virtues.