BaL 5.10.24 - Brahms: Symphony 1

[oliver sudden]

I too remain loyal to Norrington, both LCP and the Stuttgarters
.

I should perhaps clarify that I meant LCP. I haven't made the acquaintance of the Stuttgart 1 yet... I have a Stuttgart/Norrington mixed box which annoyingly includes 3 and 4 but only those.

On the other hand I did just very much enjoy the first movement of LPO/Weingartner but I should extricate myself from this rabbit hole now and play a bit of clarinet.

[silvestrione]

Didn't really do it for me, in case anyone's wondering (unlikely, I know). Very dry acoustic and again far too stringy in the balance (violin solo again completely drowning out the horn, which I'm fairly sure is not the idea)... and the string sound isn't what you'd call opulent. No list of players and nothing about the instruments. There's a photo of the setup for the Brahms violin concerto (also in the pack but on a separate disc) where the horns (but not the trumpets) appear to be valveless. The strings (and timpanist) also all seem to be masked (April 2021 recording). And the return of the chorale at the end of the finale gets the brakes-slammed-on treatment, which is not for me in this kind of context. Norrington is still my HIPP pick by quite some margin.

Yes indeed, very grateful for this 'report', as I was struck by the extract and wondered about seeking it out.
Somehow I can't bring myself to get out of my comfort zone with this work, i.e. full modern instrument orchestra versions. I know I would enjoy the Mackerras, but in fact, for pleasure I always turn to Furtwangler or Karajan, but should definitely seek out the Weingartner/LPO.

[Barbirollians]

I should perhaps clarify that I meant LCP. I haven't made the acquaintance of the Stuttgart 1 yet... I have a Stuttgart/Norrington mixed box which annoyingly includes 3 and 4 but only those.

On the other hand I did just very much enjoy the first movement of LPO/Weingartner but I should extricate myself from this rabbit hole now and play a bit of clarinet.

Wasn't the Stuttgart one of Ivan Hewett's runner ups ?

[pastoralguy]

Many years ago, there was a programme on Radio4 where four or five orchestral leaders were interviewed in a studio at once. IIRC, Hugh Bean, Christopher Warren-Green and John Georgiadis were amongst the interviewees. They were asked about the most difficult orchestral solos and the solo from Brahms 1 was said to be terrifying!

[oliver sudden]

Wasn't the Stuttgart one of Ivan Hewett's runner ups ?

Indeed!

The live LPO/Tennstedt is on here at the moment but alas the twins are making a bit too much racket.

[Barbirollians]

And that trombone solo in the finale.

[Nick Armstrong]

And that trombone solo in the finale.

Yes! I have played Trombone 1 in Brahms 1 and that quiet entry at letter C in the finale is possibly the most nerve-wracking moment in my blowing history… top A (not an ideal note on the instrument), piano, dolce, after playing virtually nothing…

Fortunately on the night, I nailed it (but I seem to recall I split one of the following notes though - always the way, it’s the ones you’re not worried about…. )

[Barbirollians]

Philharmonia trombonist did it in the live Toscanini account on Testament as I recall.

[smittims]

According to a note by Alan Sanders, that was actually the first trombone of the LSO brought in for the occasion (let's be kind and not mention names). . I imagine the prospect of playing for Toscanini on his only post-war appearance in Britain must have added to the pressure.

[Nick Armstrong]

The live LPO/Tennstedt is on here at the moment

Oo I’d forgotten about that one, I got it when it came out as I had attended the concert. It’s very good I think, iirc! Have you managed a decent listen yet?

[oliver sudden]

Oo I’d forgotten about that one, I got it when it came out as I had attended the concert. It’s very good I think, iirc! Have you managed a decent listen yet?

I have… I’ve been enjoying a bit of live Tennstedt lately (especially some of those lovely Mahlers) having not really got the hang of him previously. I wanted to enjoy this but didn’t manage it. There are a few reasons. The thwacky timps are one, but the deal-breaker alas is the first flute, very prominent and very wobbly.

The Brahms 3 on the other disc was more promising at first. I’ll give that a go.

(This is the LPO live coupling, Brahms 1 1992 and Brahms 3 1983, in case there’s doubt.)

[oliver sudden]

I have heard quite a few recordings in the last little while where the tempo slackens considerably in the exposition in the bit before the violas push things on again. I don’t generally mind it but I am honestly wondering how YNS thought he could combine that fashion with an exposition repeat. Personally I don’t think those two things belong together. The second slackening ends up being very predictable!

[richardfinegold]

I have… I’ve been enjoying a bit of live Tennstedt lately (especially some of those lovely Mahlers) having not really got the hang of him previously. I wanted to enjoy this but didn’t manage it. There are a few reasons. The thwacky timps are one, but the deal-breaker alas is the first flute, very prominent and very wobbly.

The Brahms 3 on the other disc was more promising at first. I’ll give that a go.

(This is the LPO live coupling, Brahms 1 1992 and Brahms 3 1983, in case there’s doubt.)

. I had just purchased some live Tennstedt , including a Haffner and Mahler 4 with Boston, yesterday but didn't purchase that one. I did however manage to hear the HvK/Berlin from RFH over this past weekend as an mp3 and which I listened to in the car. I tend to agree with Nick's assesment and prefer the live Paris version from a decade earlier

[Barbirollians]

. I had just purchased some live Tennstedt , including a Haffner and Mahler 4 with Boston, yesterday but didn't purchase that one. I did however manage to hear the HvK/Berlin from RFH over this past weekend as an mp3 and which I listened to in the car. I tend to agree with Nick's assesment and prefer the live Paris version from a decade earlier

Not sure that RFH recordings ever sound good on a car stereo. So often rather boxy and much better on main system IMO

[Goon525]

Hats off to RF - I wouldn’t be capable of making a meaningful decision on a performance based on listening in the car.