Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In this follow-up to his provocative cycle of the Brahms symphonies with the same ensemble, Sir Charles Mackerras once again shows that doing things according to received ideas about the music and how it should sound--"tradition," if you will--is simply not his cup of tea. His traversal of the symphonies was provocative in part because he did it with a chamber-orchestra sized string complement, hoping to recapture the balance and sonic weight of an orchestra of Brahms's day, specifically the Meiningen Court Orchestra, which premiered the Fourth Symphony. While that raised some eyebrows, tackling the two serenades with a chamber orchestra makes perfect sense, since both works were written for the modest forces of the court orchestra at Detmold. Lively, lean-textured, and expressive, these accounts comfortably straddle the divide between chamber music and symphonism, thereby allowing a privileged view into the composer's heart-of-hearts. Mackerras lets us see that while the grandeur of the symphonies is impressive, there is even more of the true Brahms--intimate, ardent, and soulful--right here in the serenades. --Ted Libbey

Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2, Music, Johannes Brahms, Sir Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento
Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2 [Germany]
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the best pairing of the two serenades I've heard
  • Kertesz At His Best
  • Very fine Kertesz/Brahms, but sound deserves remastering.
 Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2 [Germany]
Kertesz , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
  2. Schubert: The Piano Sonatas

ASIN: B000009LKE
Release Date: 2002-01-11

Tracks:

  1. Serenade No. 1 In D Major Op. 11- 1. Allegro Molto
  2. Ii. Scherzo- Allegro Non Troppo
  3. Iii. Adagio Non Troppo
  4. Iv. Menuetto
  5. V. Scherzo- Allegro
  6. Vi. Allegro
  7. Serenade No. 2 In A Major Op. 16- 1. Allegro Moderato
  8. Ii. Scherzo Vivace
  9. Iii. Adagio Non Troppo
  10. Iv. Quasi Menuetto
  11. V. Rondo- Allegro

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of the best pairing of the two serenades I've heard.......2006-02-23

This is one occasion when another reviewer (Mr. Lipscomb) has written exactly what I wanted to say. Kertesz gives fresh, energetic readings of both Brahms Serenades, the first of which is among his sunniest works, while the second is more inward, even sombre (Brahms scored it without violins, which considerably darkens the timbre). Stokowski has a wonderful, unmannered Serenade #1, but Kertesz is a shade more vibrant. For some reason these two lovely works haven't been terribly successful on records. Bernstein made a very good Serenade #2 during his MY Phil. days, but among major conductors the version by Tilson Thomas is lackluster, with only Haitink outdoing Kertesz in vitality. Boult has his moments but often rushes the tempo badly. Abbado's versions are out of print unless you buy his complete Brahms orchestral cycle (I haven't heard the performances in a long while, but the very early recording of the Serenade #2 was greeted warmly, I believe). Which leaves this CD, played beautifully by the Vienna Phil. yet recorded in rather glaring sound. No matter, it's a very satisfying listening experience, one to brighten up any cloudy day (a rare thing to say about Brahms).

P.S. - Since writing this review I've heard both Serenades performed by Abbado and Haitink, and I feel that the Haitink ranks as the top choice for this pairing. Abbado is also quite fine, on a par with Kertesz, but his performances are hampered by edgy digital transfers from DG.

4 out of 5 stars Kertesz At His Best.......2004-05-24

Both of the Brahms Serenades were written when the composer was in his twenties. The First Serenade is one of his most lyrical and engaging works - it's the sort of thing one might choose to introduce a newcomer to Brahms' music. But the 2nd Serenade has always struck me as a bit turgid and uninspired. It really only springs to life in the third mvt. I have tried to remedy the situation by surveying a fairly wide variety of performances, but even Rosbaud (Mercury LP) and Bongartz (Eterna LP) - both of which I find marginally preferable to this Kertesz - fail to convince me otherwise.

Kertesz provides what I feel is the most successful pairing of Brahms' Serenades on disc. These are youthful works, and Kertesz plays them with ingenuous freshness and chooses tempos that strike me as well-judged.

So I can heartily recommend this disc to anyone who wants a well-played and congenial pairing. Unfortunately, the sound on this CD is inferior to the LP originals - it's rather hard and glaring and has some strange balances. Perhaps a re-mastering and re-issue is in order.

If you are primarily interested in the First Serenade - as I am - then watch for a re-issue of the wonderful Stokowski account with the Symphony of the Air (formerly Toscanini's NBC Symphony). It was originally on a Decca LP, but somehow found its way onto a short-lived MCA Classics CD. Stokowski could be a highly mannered and unpredictable conductor, but in this work he was on his best behavior - it's even more joyous and better played than the Kertesz, and it had better sound as well. It was quite simply the finest account I have ever heard - or ever expect to hear. Try to find a copy and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.

4 out of 5 stars Very fine Kertesz/Brahms, but sound deserves remastering........2003-12-30

These vital and charming pieces just keep growing on me. Years back, when I first started listening to them I was fairly conscious of some of the less mature aspects of Brahms' early compositional style. As time passed, however, repeated listening gave way to greater acceptance and appeciation of these serenades in their various parts and as a whole. In many places, especially in the First Serenade, Kertesz displays an exuberance that allows melodies to soar. An extroverted, outdoorsy quality often prevails as do moments of grandeur. I have a complaint about the sound quality, however. On this Australian pressing, Decca does not deliver up to its usual high standards. Reproduction on both the British lp and the cassette (both of which I have) has greater presence and better balance. In several passages, something needs to be done with the horns. In any event, listening to Mackerras' versions of these scores, where he uses a down-sized orchestra, ostensibly for a more realistic presentation, (since, we are told, this is how these pieces were originally performed), leaves me unimpressed. Additionally, in contrast to Kertesz, I find Mackerras' often slower tempos quite unsatisfying. Nor can he match Kertesz' elan and brilliantly rich contrasts of color and light and shade. These performances by Istvan Kertesz constitute an extremely fine offering from a marvelous conductor whose very promising career was cut short early in life by an accidental death. I feel they are among the elite accounts of his musical legacy.
Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Brahms at his early finest...
  • Mind-blowing horn playing
  • Muscular and expressive interpretation
  • These are the Serenade Recordings to Own
  • "Historically Authentic" Brahms
 Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  5. Mahler: Symphony 7 In E Minor

ASIN: B000035X5A
Release Date: 1999-11-23

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Molto
  2. II. Scherzo: Allegro Non Troppo
  3. III. Adagio Non Troppo
  4. IV. Menuetto 1; Menuetto 2
  5. V. Scherzo: Allegro
  6. VI. Rondo: Allegro
  7. I. Allegro Moderato
  8. II. Scherzo: Vivace
  9. III. Adagio Non Troppo
  10. IV. Quasi Menuetto
  11. V. Rondo: Allegro

Amazon.com

In this follow-up to his provocative cycle of the Brahms symphonies with the same ensemble, Sir Charles Mackerras once again shows that doing things according to received ideas about the music and how it should sound--"tradition," if you will--is simply not his cup of tea. His traversal of the symphonies was provocative in part because he did it with a chamber-orchestra sized string complement, hoping to recapture the balance and sonic weight of an orchestra of Brahms's day, specifically the Meiningen Court Orchestra, which premiered the Fourth Symphony. While that raised some eyebrows, tackling the two serenades with a chamber orchestra makes perfect sense, since both works were written for the modest forces of the court orchestra at Detmold. Lively, lean-textured, and expressive, these accounts comfortably straddle the divide between chamber music and symphonism, thereby allowing a privileged view into the composer's heart-of-hearts. Mackerras lets us see that while the grandeur of the symphonies is impressive, there is even more of the true Brahms--intimate, ardent, and soulful--right here in the serenades. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Brahms at his early finest..........2005-08-13

Brahms was obviously in a 'symphonic' frame of mind when he composed these serenades. I am glad he finally got around to composing symphonies and not just serenades.

5 out of 5 stars Mind-blowing horn playing.......2005-07-27

Run to get this recording if you want to hear incredible horn playing in Serenade No.1. This piece is sheer joy and the performance is without equal. Power and grace, delicacy and momentum are all here.

5 out of 5 stars Muscular and expressive interpretation.......2004-12-14

Thanks to the historically informed performance of Maestro Mackerras (small divided violin sections and natural horns) and the tremendous recording quality of Telarc one can hear all the instruments very clear and fresh sounding.
I think that this is currently the best pick of the Serenades one can get. I like Mackerras muscular and fairly dramatic interpretation.

Try also his great Brahms Symphony cycle. It is very different than others because Mackerras uses the performing forces Brahms intended in his Meiningen Orchestra (for instance the size and layout of the orchestra including the use of natural brass).

5 out of 5 stars These are the Serenade Recordings to Own.......2003-11-13

I'm a great fan of Sir Charles, but I'm of two minds about his celebrated and controversial Brahms Symphony set. I think the chamber-orchestra approach takes away from almost as much as it brings to this music. On the other hand, I'm willing to say that Brahms's two youthful serenades have never sounded fresher or more piquant than in these wonderful performances, especially the Serenade No. 1, which has all the "look-at-me-world" audaciousness that Brahms must have felt in putting his first orchestral work to paper. It glows, especially in Telarc's crystalline recording. Sir Charles's way with the sweeter, more sedate Second Serenade is just as winning, but it's the performance of the First Serenade that I still, joyously, hear resounding in my imagination.

3 out of 5 stars "Historically Authentic" Brahms.......2001-04-24

While Charles Mackerras has come up with a new reason to record Brahms' Serenades, a historically accurate Brahms is not necessarily a beautiful Brahms. Sir Charles' muscular interpretation may win points for enthusiasm, but Bernard Haitink and the Concertgebuow Orchestra did it better on an old Philips recording. Still it is an honest sound and the Serenade No. 1 is a wonderful piece of music full of the youthful exuberence of the young Brahms. I never get tired of this piece. The melodies are glorious and familiarity does not diminish its capacity to warm the heart. It deserves to be performed more often. Sir Charles has done us a good turn by reminding us how great it is in his new recording.
Serenades for Two: Romantic Evening Music, Piano
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Serenades for Two: Romantic Evening Music, Piano

    Manufacturer: Delta
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000A4T962
    Release Date: 2005-08-02
    Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2; Haydn Variations
    Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    • Recording quality muddy
    		 Brahms: Serenades Nos. 1 & 2; Haydn Variations

    Manufacturer: EMI Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000HWZAMY
    Release Date: 2006-11-21

    Tracks:

    1. Academic Festival Overture Op.80
    2. I: Allegro Molto
    3. II: Scherzo (Allegro Non Troppo) & Trio (Poco Piu Moto)
    4. III: Adagio Non Troppo
    5. IV: Menuetto I-Menuetto II
    6. V: Scherzo (Allegro)
    7. VI: Rondo (Allegro)
    8. Alto Rhapsody Op.53 - John Alldis

    Tracks:

    1. Tragic Overture Op.81 - London Symphony Orchestra
    2. I: Allegro Moderato
    3. II: Scherzo (Vivace)
    4. III: Adagio Non Troppo
    5. IV: Quasi Menuetto
    6. V: Rondo (Allegro)
    7. Theme (Andante) (Chorale: St Antoni)
    8. I: Poco Piu Animato
    9. II: Piu Vivace
    10. III: Con Moto
    11. IV: Andante Con Moto
    12. V: Vivace
    13. VI: Vivace
    14. VII: Grazioso
    15. VIII: Presto Non Troppo
    16. IX: Finale (Andante)

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars Recording quality muddy.......2007-05-10

    The execution of the music is fine. However, the recording is muddy. I recommend other recordings & avoiding this one.
    An die Musik [2 CD & DVD Limited Edition]
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • An excellent overview of Dietrich Fischer Dieskau with Deutsche Grammophon
    		 An die Musik [2 CD & DVD Limited Edition]

    Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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    ASIN: B0008064XY
    Release Date: 2005-07-12

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars An excellent overview of Dietrich Fischer Dieskau with Deutsche Grammophon.......2005-11-08

    "An die Musik", aptly named after the famous Schubert lied of the same title, is an excellent overview of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's recorded output for Deutsche Grammophon over the past 56 years. On the CDs, there are six Schubert lieder from Fischer-Dieskau's 21 disc set with pianist Gerald Moore, (dating from ca. 1970) and other lieder by Wolf, Richard Strauss, Brahms, and Schoeck. Also included are two chansons of Claude Debussy, and arias from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" and "Don Giovanni", both conducted by Ferenc Fricsay; small part of Fricsay's Orff "Carmina Burana" (rec. 1949), Schubert's "Dichterliebe" cycle with pianist Jorg Demus; and the 4 Ruckert lieder with Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic. Fischer-Dieskau is amazing, with such a wide repertory, and such enthusiasm for singing such varied and different styles of music.

    The bonus DVD, lasting about 28 minutes, is very interesting to watch and listen to. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and pianist Sviatoslav Richter peform 8 famous Schubert lieder in the great room of a hotel in a remote Bavarian village, in utterly charming and rather informal surroundings. The camera work is minimal, the sound, very fine but a little low level mono: filmed in 1978. Fischer-Dieskau looks alot younger here than more recent photos of him, but a little older and more classy than the photos I'm used to seeing of him, which date from the late 1960s. Fischer-Dieskau and Richter work as one, and their partnership and great working relationship is evident from measure 1. There is no doubt watching this that they had alot of fun performing for the cameras.

    I am grateful DG released this set: 2 very full discs at over 70 minutes of music each, + the DVD of a telecast not seen since 1978. The sound is very good, even in the mono tracks, and if you like lieder and opera excerpts, you will be delighted. I mention this as one who's experienced Fischer-Dieskau's recordings for 25 years, and been usually delighted by them.
    Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2
      Brahms , Istvan Kertesz , and London Symphony Orchestra
      Manufacturer: Polygram Records
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD
      ASIN: B00000E3RB
      Release Date: 1990-10-25
      Dream Melodies, Vol. 7: Serenades
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Dream Melodies, Vol. 7: Serenades

        Manufacturer: Delta
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

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        ASIN: B000001VG8
        Release Date: 1992-07-10

        Tracks:

        1. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro
        2. Serenade In C: Elegia
        3. Serenade In E: Moderato
        4. Wind Serenade In C: Andante
        5. Serenade In D: Aria. Andante
        6. Serendae In D, 'Serenata notturna' Rondeau. Allegretto
        7. Serenade No.1 In D: Adagio non troppo
        8. Serenade In C: Waltz
        9. Serenade In E: Larghetto
        10. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance. Andante
        11. Serenade, From Op.3 No.5
        Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2 (Westdeutche Sinfonia/Joeres)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Brahms: Serenades 1 & 2 (Westdeutche Sinfonia/Joeres)

          Manufacturer: Regis Records
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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          ASIN: B0000AL9D5
          Release Date: 2003-07-09

          Album Description

          SERENADE for ORCHESTRA No.1 in D, Op. 11 SERENADE for ORCHESTRA No.2 in A, Op. 16
          Live at Hohenems & Salzburg Recital
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Live at Hohenems & Salzburg Recital

            Manufacturer: Philips
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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            GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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            Handel, George FridericHandel, George Frideric | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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            Schumann, RobertSchumann, Robert | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            Strauss, RichardStrauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            Vocal Works by BeethovenVocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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            1. Sacred Songs & Spirituals

            ASIN: B000AC5AYE
            Release Date: 2005-11-08

            Tracks:

            1. Applause - Geoffrey Parsons
            2. Thanks Be To Thee - Geoffrey Parsons
            3. Armida, Pity Me!-Let Me Weep - Geoffrey Parsons
            4. Applause - Geoffrey Parsons
            5. I. Dedication - Geoffrey Parsons
            6. XXIV. Thou Art Like A Flower - Geoffrey Parsons
            7. VI. A Beautiful Foreign Land - Geoffrey Parsons
            8. VII. In A Castle - Geoffrey Parsons
            9. IX. Melancholy - Geoffrey Parsons
            10. XII. Spring Night - Geoffrey Parsons
            11. Applause - Geoffrey Parsons
            12. Son Of The Muses - Geoffrey Parsons
            13. On The Lake - Geoffrey Parsons
            14. Sea's Tranquillity - Geoffrey Parsons
            15. Ave Maria - Geoffrey Parsons
            16. To Nature - Geoffrey Parsons
            17. Applause - Geoffrey Parsons
            18. Restless Love - Geoffrey Parsons
            19. Gretchen At The Spinning Wheel - Geoffrey Parsons
            20. Love Has Told Lies - Geoffrey Parsons
            21. Death And The Maiden - Geoffrey Parsons
            22. The Erlking - Geoffrey Parsons
            23. Applause - Geoffrey Parsons
            24. My Love Is Green - Geoffrey Parsons
            25. We Both Feel Like Skipping - Geoffrey Parsons
            26. He's Got The Whole World - Geoffrey Parsons
            27. Great Day - Geoffrey Parsons

            Tracks:

            1. I. Plea - Jessye Norman
            2. II. Love Of One's Neighbor - Jessye Norman
            3. III. On Death - Jessye Norman
            4. IV. The Glory Of God In Nature - Jessye Norman
            5. V. God Is My Song - Jessye Norman
            6. VI. Song Of Penance - Jessye Norman
            7. Cover Me With Flowers - Jessye Norman
            8. I Have Pain Deep In My Heart - Jessye Norman
            9. Ask Him, Mother - Jessye Norman
            10. In The Shadow Of My Locks - Jessye Norman
            11. My Heart, Everyone Is At Rest - Jessye Norman
            12. Go, Beloved, Go Now - Jessye Norman
            13. Starry Night - Jessye Norman
            14. Beautiful Evening - Jessye Norman
            15. Romance - Jessye Norman
            16. The Bells - Jessye Norman
            17. Mandolin - Jessye Norman
            18. Tonight I Rose - Jessye Norman
            19. How Am I To Be Cheerful - Jessye Norman
            20. Let My Lover's Cottage Fall Into The Abyss - Jessye Norman
            21. For Long We Both Kept Silence - Jessye Norman
            22. Now Let Us Make Peace, Dearest Life - Jessye Norman
            23. My Lover Invited Me To A Meal - Jessye Norman
            24. I Have A Lover Living In Penna - Jessye Norman
            Schwarzkopf Edition [Box Set]
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Schwarzkopf Edition [Box Set]

              Manufacturer: Capitol
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

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              Debussy, ClaudeDebussy, Claude | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Gluck, Christoph W.Gluck, Christoph W. | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Humperdinck, EngelbertHumperdinck, Engelbert | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Lehar, FranzLehar, Franz | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Mahler, GustavMahler, Gustav | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusMozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Puccini, GiacomoPuccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Schubert, FranzSchubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Schumann, RobertSchumann, Robert | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
              Strauss Jr., JohannStrauss Jr., Johann | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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              Vocal Works by BrahmsVocal Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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              ASIN: B00000DO7I
              Release Date: 1991-07-01

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              5. Caverna Magica [Enhanced]
              6. Cecilia Bartoli - Gluck Italian Arias ~ Dreams & Fables
              7. Cinema Serenade
              8. Complete Flanders & Swann [Box set] [Import]
              9. Copland: Symphony No. 3; Symphony for Organ and Orchestra
              10. David Daniels - Serenade

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