Von Karajan Brahms Discography

[gradus]

Are you talking 60s or 80s?

Would have been sixties.

[LHC]

I went to that concert . It was indeed majestic. I seem to remember Karajan not being well enough to make it offstage for the numerous curtain calls so he walked to the back of the first violins. Frankly the reception was so tumultuous he could have just stayed on the rostrum . Weirdly the one thing that sticks in my mind is the tremendous sound the BPO double basses made at the beginning ( and throughout) . They really dig into the strings…

I too was at this concert. It was, as you say, majestic.

I also attended the concert with the BPO and Karajan the year before when they played Brahms 2 and 4. That concert was also affected by industrial action in France, although on this occasion it meant that the BPO had to play in casual clothes as their concert attire had been held up by the French strike.

Tickets were like gold dust and I’m still not sure how we managed to secure ours; just lucky I suppose. I remember that when we went in to the RFH there were people standing outside waving handfuls of £50 notes in the hope of securing a ticket.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I am so envious! The one remarkable Brahms 1 that I can claim to have attended was BBCSO/Boult at the Proms; it’s opening so stately that it must have been conducted one-in-a-bar.

Six-in-a-bar, surely? I can't imagine it sounding "stately" the way you describe, in fact I almost can't imagine it that way at all.

[cloughie]

Six-in-a-bar, surely? I can't imagine it sounding "stately" the way you describe, in fact I almost can't imagine it that way at all.

Boult’s Brahms was rather good - his EMI Symphony cycle evolved from No 3 being recorded in a bit of spare time at the end of an LSO recording session!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Boult’s Brahms was rather good - his EMI Symphony cycle evolved from No 3 being recorded in a bit of spare time at the end of an LSO recording session!

Yes, funny how that cycle came about and how good it turned out to be.

I picked it up recently in its Disky reincarnation for a few pennies. One day, when the boxes are unpacked post-relocation, I'll give it another whirl.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Yes, funny how that cycle came about and how good it turned out to be......

Yes - had the vinyl and it was part of the EMI, err, no - Warner box set "Sir Adrian Boult: From Bach to Wagner". Not flamboyant, but my word, he had range and delivered quality - his Wagner excerpt disc gives a hint of the possibilities there given the chance - but then he seemed to lead a busy professional life as it was?

[DoctorT]

The first Brahms LP I bought was Boult's recording of the second symphony coupled with Dame Janet's Alto Rhapsody: peerless

[Keraulophone]

Six-in-a-bar, surely?

I should have written two-in-a-bar. Whatever Sir Adrian did at his great age (he only conducted the second half), his long baton seemed to move very slowly. Conducting six quavers would have worn him out!

[Barbirollians]

I should have written two-in-a-bar. Whatever Sir Adrian did at his great age (he only conducted the second half), his long baton seemed to move very slowly. Conducting six quavers would have worn him out!

Sir Adrian’s Brahms was indeed magnificent . That ICA classics live Brahms 3 sends shivers down the spine .

Back to HVK and the topic - I agree entirely about the Testament Brahms 1 - the coda in the finale in particular is quite extraordinary. As estimable as are his DG accounts from the 60s and 70s I retain a very soft spot for his Philharmonia 2 and in particular 4.

[Dave2002]

I should have written two-in-a-bar. Whatever Sir Adrian did at his great age (he only conducted the second half), his long baton seemed to move very slowly. Conducting six quavers would have worn him out!

I had to check with the score - http://conquest.imslp.info/files/img...WV,_S._292.pdf

Most of the bars are in 6/8 though bar 8 is in 9/8.

I think trying to conduct in quavers would be a challenge for anybody!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

I had to check with the score - http://conquest.imslp.info/files/img...WV,_S._292.pdf

Most of the bars are in 6/8 though bar 8 is in 9/8.

I think trying to conduct in quavers would be a challenge for anybody!

My first look at the score of Brahms 1, long ago and after numerous interpreters' recordings had taught me it, or rather their interpretations of it, was very enlightening.

[BBMmk2]

I feel quite a lot of debt to Karajan, as he inspired me to appreciate classical music, a lot.