Brahms 1st symphony, Tchaikovsky 1st symphony

[HighlandDougie]

For the Tchaikovsky, some further recommendations:

Vladimir Jurowski/LPO

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-London-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B002IVRBCE/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-7&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

or, if you want the complete LPO/Jurowski cycle:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pyotr-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-Philharmonic/dp/B073XC3DMR/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

For a modern-day interpretation there is Pablo Heras-Casado/Orchestra of St Lukes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphony-Winter-Dreams-Tempest/dp/B01GKJOZ28/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653982&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+heras-casado#customerReviews

As to Brahms, I much like Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra - but, alas, only available as part of a complete set - and Kurt Sanderling, especially the later recording with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. There is a fine performance from Otmar Suitner with the same orchestra but it is not easily available.

[Bryn]

We need a BaL on Tchaikovsky 1!

For some reason it seems easy to enjoy whoever is performing.

And whichever version of the score, too.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

And whichever version of the score, too.

I wasn't aware that earlier versions had survived - unlike the 2nd symphony that has some very interesting variants.

[Conchis]

I'm going to be very predictable and go with Klemperer, who always knew what he was doing.

The opening of the first movement sounds very effective when used against footage of a Nuremberg rally.

[vinteuil]

The opening of the first movement sounds very effective when used against footage of a Nuremberg rally.

... do you think so?

I find this is far more appropriate -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt81gzIAt18

.

[Ferretfancy]

Maazel's Vienna recording of Tchaik 1 is rather good, with those magnificent Viennese horns in the slow movement. It isn't recent, but John Culshaw's Decca recordings are almost always very fine indeed.

I think that some of the credit should go to Gordon Parry, James Locke, Wilkie etc. those wonderful Decca engineers.

[BBMmk2]

For the Tchaikovsky, some further recommendations:

Vladimir Jurowski/LPO

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-London-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B002IVRBCE/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-7&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

or, if you want the complete LPO/Jurowski cycle:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pyotr-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-Philharmonic/dp/B073XC3DMR/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

For a modern-day interpretation there is Pablo Heras-Casado/Orchestra of St Lukes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphony-Winter-Dreams-Tempest/dp/B01GKJOZ28/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653982&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+heras-casado#customerReviews

As to Brahms, I much like Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra - but, alas, only available as part of a complete set - and Kurt Sanderling, especially the later recording with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. There is a fine performance from Otmar Suitner with the same orchestra but it is not easily available.

I'd forgotten about the Jurowski! Very much so!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

For the Tchaikovsky ... :

Vladimir Jurowski/LPO

Jurowski & the LPO for Brahms #1, as well - and, unlike many of the older versions, this is unabridged, with First Movement Exposition repeated as the work demands. A lithe and powerfully lively reading of the work, coupled with a superb recording of the Second Symphony.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Symphonies-London-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B003193KEU

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think that some of the credit should go to Gordon Parry, James Locke, Wilkie etc. those wonderful Decca engineers.

Fair comment. Kenneth Wilkinson too.

[Braunschlag]

Maazel's Vienna recording of Tchaik 1 is rather good, with those magnificent Viennese horns in the slow movement. It isn't recent, but John Culshaw's Decca recordings are almost always very fine indeed.

Indeed they are, still my favourite set and the early symphonies come up well. With the Decca boys at their very best.

[cloughie]

For the Tchaikovsky, some further recommendations:

Vladimir Jurowski/LPO

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-London-Philharmonic-Orchestra/dp/B002IVRBCE/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-7&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

or, if you want the complete LPO/Jurowski cycle:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pyotr-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-Philharmonic/dp/B073XC3DMR/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653780&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+jurowski

For a modern-day interpretation there is Pablo Heras-Casado/Orchestra of St Lukes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphony-Winter-Dreams-Tempest/dp/B01GKJOZ28/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1519653982&sr=1-1&keywords=tchaikovsky+heras-casado#customerReviews

As to Brahms, I much like Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra - but, alas, only available as part of a complete set - and Kurt Sanderling, especially the later recording with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. There is a fine performance from Otmar Suitner with the same orchestra but it is not easily available.

Just a comment on the Jurowsky. This is the typical uncaring approach from record companies and their diregard for collectors - those of us who have already spent their well-earned cash on the Syms 1 4 5 6 & Manfred may wish to buy Syms 2/3 and the Francesca and Serenade for Strings, but to do so will have to buy the box with the duplicates. Nothing new for us life-time collectors who have invested heavily in the industry!

[pastoralguy]

If you want absolutely up to the minute recordings then you could wait for the new Ticciati/Scottish Chamber Orchestra cds to be released. Not reviewed yet but I'm told they should be pretty good!

And hasn't someone just recorded the cycle with the Boston Symphony Orchestra?

[jayne lee wilson]

Difficult to recommend without knowing your tastes, but since many of the older classics have been covered, if you fancy a sharper, fresher view in very good sound (I'm a fussy old audiophile myself) I'd go for the Helsingborg SO/Andrew Manze on CPO (2012). The complete cycle is devotedly and idiomatically Brahmsian in sound and shape but still has a wonderfully new, refreshed interpretative feel to it. Sound Quality is as good as ever from the label, if not more so.

Largish Chamber Orchestras can be very rewarding in this repertoire too: I prefer the Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Paavo Berglund (Ondine 2001)to the Mackerras SCO set, groundbreaking though the latter was. Berglund has the finer orchestra, a richer tonal palette. The Ondine sound, again, is excellent, taped live in Baden-Baden.

Prefer a full-sized orchestra, perhaps needing an Austro-Germanic tonal character, but a reading with a more defined sound and novel ideas? Then go for the Berlin Philharmonic/Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Teldec, 1997) . You may be startled occasionally but never bored!

All three of these sets feature a 1st Symphony with 1st movement exposition repeat, which seems musically essential to me (as in all the 4 symphonies), given the way Brahms builds movements and develops his motifs.

If I had to choose just one, it would be the Manze for its wonderful sound and consistently thrilling performances through the complete set. It is a truly modern, musically renewing Brahms Cycle to live with.
(Although for No.1 alone, it would be very close-run with Berglund).

[teamsaint]

Just a comment on the Jurowsky. This is the typical uncaring approach from record companies and their diregard for collectors - those of us who have already spent their well-earned cash on the Syms 1 4 5 6 & Manfred may wish to buy Syms 2/3 and the Francesca and Serenade for Strings, but to do so will have to buy the box with the duplicates. Nothing new for us life-time collectors who have invested heavily in the industry!

Very poor that.

[Alison]

How on earth will OP Andy make his choice?

Do let us know!