I listened to this overnight on our national FM network here in Australia (and I've got it on now through the BBC as I write). I tuned in after the start and kept wondering what orchestra and conductor I was listening to, so strange did this Brahms #1 seem to me. Initially I dismissed it as some lesser known orchestra but as the work progressed I became more and more interested/intrigued - yes, it was definitely a different kind of Brahms than any I had previously experienced!!! Then when the cheering occurred at the end I knew it was the Proms and when I learned Norrington was on the podium the clipped phrasing, thinner violin textures, prominent brass and faster tempi suddenly were explained. Oh, God, it's groaning at the end of the first movement as I write this!!! The violins "whine" rather than sing.
But I don't really like my Brahms like this!!! He has brought his 'period performance' sensibility to a work which has a recorded lineage of not being played like that. I think Arthur Nikisch recordings may still be around and, of course, he was an acquaintance of Brahms. This is the only recording I could find of Nikisch and he's playing Beethoven; I couldn't find one of Brahms: the intonation in the orchestra is often problematic and I'm not sure that can be attributed to recording limitations!
It's absolutely turned me off Norrington big time!
POST SCRIPT: I'm sorry, I've only just learned that comments have already been made about this performance!! We in Australia often get things later, especially when pre-occupied with other musical activities - which I currently am (have a lecture 2 weeks today). All comments so far interesting on this performance, but I'm not wearing the 'vibrato' argument one bit!! Because, surely, that is but one feature of this strange performance.
But I don't really like my Brahms like this!!! He has brought his 'period performance' sensibility to a work which has a recorded lineage of not being played like that. I think Arthur Nikisch recordings may still be around and, of course, he was an acquaintance of Brahms. This is the only recording I could find of Nikisch and he's playing Beethoven; I couldn't find one of Brahms: the intonation in the orchestra is often problematic and I'm not sure that can be attributed to recording limitations!
It's absolutely turned me off Norrington big time!
POST SCRIPT: I'm sorry, I've only just learned that comments have already been made about this performance!! We in Australia often get things later, especially when pre-occupied with other musical activities - which I currently am (have a lecture 2 weeks today). All comments so far interesting on this performance, but I'm not wearing the 'vibrato' argument one bit!! Because, surely, that is but one feature of this strange performance.