Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 [Import]
Track Listings
|
1. Allegro Con Brio
|
|
|
|
2. Andante
|
|
|
|
3. Poco Allegretto
|
|
|
|
4. Allegro
|
|
|
|
5. Allegro Non Troppo
|
|
|
|
6. Andante Moderato
|
|
|
|
7. Allegro Giocoso - Poco Meno Presto - Tempo I
|
|
|
|
8. Allegro Energico E Passionato - Piu Allegro
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Grand Repertoire Series.
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4, Music, Walter, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannes Brahms, Bruno Walter, Classical
Average customer rating:
- A bargain CD that would be good at any price
- Bragns Symphony No 2 & 3
- On rehearing, these beloved recordings have faded
- Masterful Insight to an Original
- Bruno Walter was a great Brahms interpreter
|
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
 All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
CDs $7 - $10
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
$6.99 and Under
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
All Classical Music Blowout
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Composers, A-Z
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Instrumental
| Classical Music Blowout
| Stores
| Music
Classical Music
| The Sony BMG Masterworks Store
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Tragic Overture; Schicksalslied
- Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale"
- Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45/Alt-Rhapsodie, Op. 53
- Bruno Walter The Edition ~ Mozart - Symphonies Nos. 39, 40 & 41 "Jupiter"
ASIN: B000002A7Z
Release Date: 1995-10-31 |
Tracks:
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro non troppo
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio non troppo
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op. 73: III. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) Presto ma non assai
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op. 73: IV. Allegro con spirito
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: I. Allegro con brio
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: II. Andante
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: III. Poco Allegretto
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: IV. Allegro
Amazon.com
The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained them to do the right things, and they responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less than crack ensemble, there is also some very fine first-desk playing, and the performances as a whole are marked by a natural feeling of movement, phrasing, and expression. Walter's approach to the music is kindly, caring, and wonderfully whole--sunny but not overly brilliant, warm but not overly heated, sincere but not overly impassioned. Anyone who thinks that means the conductor was slow, shapeless, or indulgent should give this disc a listen. There is thrust here, and plenty of momentum. The recordings are closely miked and somewhat bass-heavy, but in Sony's new 20-bit remastering the sound is wonderfully alive and direct. --Ted Libbey
Amazon.com
The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained to do the right things, and it responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less-than-stellar ensemble work, there is also some very fine first-desk playing, and the performances as a whole are marked by a natural feeling of movement, phrasing, and expression. Walter's approach to the music is kindly, caring, wonderfully whole--sunny but not overly brilliant, warm but not overly heated, sincere but not overly impassioned, and above all gemtlich. Anyone who thinks that means the conductor was slow, shapeless, or indulgent should listen. There is thrust here, and plenty of momentum. The recordings, made between 1959 and 1961, are closely miked and somewhat bass-heavy, but have benefitted immensely from Sony's state-of-the-art remastering. Considering the vintage, the sound is wonderfully alive and direct. --Ted Libbey
Customer Reviews:
A bargain CD that would be good at any price.......2007-05-20
Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on classical music, much less on classical music performances, so my reviews represent a newcomer's take on classical CDs. Take that for what it's worth.
While I was expecting to enjoy Brahms's symphonies, the sheer excellence of them took me by surprise. They quickly became some of my favorite symphonies. The recording is very clear and really sounds great, and the compositions themselves are phenomenal. Highly recommended.
Bragns Symphony No 2 & 3.......2007-05-14
Brahms is my favorite composer. Brahms was so concerned that he followed Beethoven that he waited until late to publish a symphony. He needed have no concern. His symphonies are masterpieces. Their performance by Bruno Walter and the Columbia Symphony is also masterful. The technology for the initial recording is dated, the remastering was done with great care. The result is a really great recording.
On rehearing, these beloved recordings have faded.......2006-03-16
Walter recorded the Brahms Second and Third in 1960, near the middle of his late studio career in Los Angeles. In terms of health, attentiveness, and physical powers, this was a variable time for him, and it shows. Walter is near his peak with the Third Sym., which has real thrust and vigor but also great musical coherence. Walter was a brash conductor of Brahms before his late old age, and here he returns to form. The Columbia Sym. sounds fairly strong and at moments inspired, but the recording is overly bright.
The same can't be said completely of the Second Sym., a much-loved recording that has thin, ragged string playing, made worse by brittle, shallow recorded sound. The scraopy ensemble is in aid of a leisurely and not very alert reading on Walter's part. True, there's a general air of geniality and warmth, but that only goes so far. I loved this recording forty years ago, and at moments in the lyrical slow movement it cast its spell again, but still I find that it's fading fast. Even so, this CD is well worth hearing for the Third Sym., which sparks recollections of Walter at his best.
Masterful Insight to an Original.......2005-10-06
Symphony No. 3:
"Original" is always a moniker used to described Brahms' Third, and it's surprising how the description still holds up today. Whereas most composers use the symphonic form to express highly epic themes (a la Beethoven, Mahler, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich et al.), the Hungarian composer among German and Slavic titans presents a surprisingly intimate and peaceful vision with his Third, surely one of the greatest of symphonies. Bruno Walter, after decades of working closely with Mahler's music, brings a level of concentration unmatched by any other conductor to bring together the disparate four movements of a work that threatens to become unglued at any moment's notice. Walter's vision is understated and unforced, and perhaps a little too detached to some ears (like mine), but its gentle power takes over the most casual listener. This is a piece that struggles throughout to resolve the turbulence and tension within to find that ultimate state of peace - Brahms, meanwhile, gives us plenty of gorgeous melody and orchestration along the way - and Walter succeeds masterfully to capture the drama. Furtwangler and The Berlin will always be my favorite for this, but all in all, a classic performance. ****1/2
Other References: Top Recommendation from Gramophone, Rough Guide, Jim Svejda's Classical Guide, Penguin Guide; High Recommendation from Classical Music: Third Ear
Symphony No. 2:
Brahms' Second is a great work in itself, though not as landmark as the Third, but many a connoisseur's favorite among Brahms' symphonies. Walter's work here may be even greater than on No. 3. Finely detailed, full of color and with perfect weight - it is a very mature interpretation. His understanding is deep and he is in complete control, seamless from one movement to the next. The Columbia Symphony, no great orchestra, responds with some of their best playing. Walter could even make you believe you're listening to The Vienna Phil - and that's saying a lot. Much is made of comparing this to Beethoven's Sixth, and if we're talking about richness in melody, genius in orchestration, having a rustic feel, surprising us with its occasional minuet-dance rhythms and finishing off with a grand final movement that thrills and leaves you breathless - sure, the comparisons ring true. But make no mistake, Brahms is a true original. *****
Other References: Top Recommendation from Gramophone, Rough Guide, Penguin Guide
*In both accounts, Sony has done a superb job in the sound remastering to bring more body and clarity to the orchestra as compared to the original CBS releases.*
Bruno Walter was a great Brahms interpreter.......2005-08-16
I remember seeing Bruno Walter's Columbia Symphony recordings of Brahms Symphonies on LPs in the 1970s, and became more familiar with them when a college student, 1977-81. Walter was born in 1876, so was 21 in 1897 when Brahms died: their lives overlapped, and Walter, a product of the late Romantic age and student of Gustav Mahler(1860-1911), applies the needed affection and emotion to his interpretations of Brahms Symphonies.
There was a New York Philharmonic Brahms cycle conducted by Walter in the 1950s, and he conducted all 4 Brahms Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic and other orchestras in the earlier years of his career. Walter's name then, is authoritative in these works.
I especially like his affectionate treatment of Symphony 2: every phrase is caressed with just the right amount of needed expression and affection, yet he never overdoes it. IV moves along, but not as quickly as some other conductors, such as Steinberg with the Pittsburgh Symphony (Command LPs or MCA CD, from about 1988). Symphony 3, while revealing a few slight flaws, is done "con amore" (with love) and IV really blazes in the development section: the trombone chords will lift you out of your chair. The sound in both symphonies is very good late 1950s stereo, with rich mid range, clear highs, and strong bass.
I also like Walter's recordings of Brahms 1 and 4 (some feel 4 is over rated, but I find it charming). I believe these, along with Karl Bohm's 1975 Vienna Philharmonic cycle (Deutsche Grammophon 3 CD set), to be the best recordings of the Brahms Symphonies available in the US today.
Average customer rating:
- I can name that tune in three notes
- A Fabulous CD
- Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!
- Fun Sampler
- Useful.
|
Idiot's Guide to Classical Music
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Waltzes
| Ballets & Dances
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Quartets
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Quintets
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Albinoni
| Albinoni, Tomaso
| ( A )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by J.S. Bach
| Bach, Johann Sebastian
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Barber
| Barber, Samuel
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Beethoven
| Beethoven, Ludwig van
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Berlioz
| Berlioz, Hector
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Boccherini
| Boccherini, Luigi
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Borodin
| Borodin, Alexander
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Chopin
| Chopin, Frédéric
| ( C )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Copland
| Copland, Aaron
| ( C )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Delibes, Léo
| ( D )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Dukas
| Dukas, Paul
| ( D )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Dvorák, Antonín
| ( D )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Debussy
| Debussy, Claude
| ( D )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Elgar
| Elgar, Sir Edward
| ( E )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Falla
| Falla, Manuel de
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Fauré, Gabriel
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Gershwin
| Gershwin, George
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Gounod
| Gounod, Charles
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Handel
| Handel, George Frideric
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn
| Haydn, Franz Joseph
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Holst
| Holst, Gustav
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Khachaturian
| Khachaturian, Aram
| ( K )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Leoncavallo
| Leoncavallo, Ruggiero
| ( L )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Liszt
| Liszt, Franz
| ( L )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Mascagni
| Mascagni, Pietro
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Morales, Cristóbal de
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
| Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Mussorgsky
| Mussorgsky, Modest
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Mendelssohn
| Mendelssohn, Felix
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Offenbach
| Offenbach, Jacques
| ( O )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Orff
| Orff, Carl
| ( O )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Pachelbel
| Pachelbel, Johann
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Puccini
| Puccini, Giacomo
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Prokofiev
| Prokofiev, Sergei
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Ravel, Maurice
| ( R )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Rossini
| Rossini, Gioacchino
| ( R )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Rachmaninov
| Rachmaninov, Sergei
| ( R )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Saint-Saëns, Camille
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Satie
| Satie, Erik
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Schubert
| Schubert, Franz
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Sibelius
| Sibelius, Jean
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Sousa
| Sousa, John Philip
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Strauss Jr., Johann
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Strauss
| Strauss, Richard
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Stravinsky
| Stravinsky, Igor
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Tchaikovsky
| Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich
| ( T )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vaughan Williams, Ralph
| ( V )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Verdi
| Verdi, Giuseppe
| ( V )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Vivaldi
| Vivaldi, Antonio
| ( V )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wagner
| Wagner, Richard
| ( W )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Concerto Grossi
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Bagatelles
| Short Forms
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Character Pieces
| Short Forms
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Nocturnes
| Short Forms
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Sonatas
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Sonatinas
| Sonatas
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Suites
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Classical
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Incidental Music
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Marches
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Overtures
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Tone Poems
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Scherzo
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Forms & Genres
| Early Music
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Ballets & Dances
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Vaughan Williams, Ralph
| Composers
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Contemporary
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Ballets & Dances
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Organ
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Piano
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Guitar
| Strings
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Violin
| Strings
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Modern & 20th Century
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
National Philharmonic Orchestra London
| ( N )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( N )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
| ( S )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( V )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romances
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
French
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Italian
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Russian
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Operettas
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Cantatas
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Choruses
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Movie Scores
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Movie Soundtracks
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Marches
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
1990-1999
| Decades
| Compilations
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
1990s
| By Decade
| Pop
| Styles
| Music
CDs Under $7
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
Classical Music
| The Sony BMG Masterworks Store
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Classical Instrumental Music
| The Sony BMG Masterworks Store
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Opera & Vocal
| The Sony BMG Masterworks Store
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Scott Joplin: Greatest Hits
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Music
- Classical Guitar, Vol. 2
- Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
- Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
ASIN: B000003FPT
Release Date: 1995-02-14 |
Tracks:
- Adagio
- Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
- Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
- Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
- Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
- Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
- Fse: Excerpt
- Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
- Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
- Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
- Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
- Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
- Toreador Song [From Carmen]
- Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
- Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
- Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
- Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
- "Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
- Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
- Marche Fune: Marche Fune
- Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
- Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
- Clair de Lune: Excerpt
- Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
- Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
- Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
- El Amor Brujo
- Pavane: Excerpt
- Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
- American in Paris: Excerpt
- Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
- Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
- Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
- Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
- Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
- The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
- Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
- Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
- Hungarian Rhapsody
- Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
- Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
- Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
- Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
- Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
- The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
- Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
- Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
- Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
- Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
- Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
- Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
- Canon: Canon, Excerpt
- Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
- Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
- Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
- Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
- Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
- Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
- Bolero
- Flight of the Bumblebee
- Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
- The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
- The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
- William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
- Danse Macabre: Excerpt
- Gymnope No. 1
- Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
- Ave Maria: Excerpt
- Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
- Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
- Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
- Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
- Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
- Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
- Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
- Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
- The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
- Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
- Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
- Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
- Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
- 1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
- Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
- Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
- Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
- Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
- Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
- The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
- The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
- Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
- Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt
Customer Reviews:
I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19
My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.
A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14
The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.
Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20
Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.
If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.
The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.
I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.
Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09
For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.
Useful........1999-03-22
Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.
Average customer rating:
- no kidding
- Not sure what all the fuss is about.
- Five stars +
- Karajan or Klemperer in Brahms?
- My deserted island pick
|
EMI Great Recordings of Century - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4/Klemperer
Johannes Brahms , Philharmonia Orchestra , Christa Ludwig , Philharmonia Chorus , and Otto Klemperer
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Overtures
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
- Furtwangler Conducts Brahms - Complete Symphonies, etc / North German RSO, Berlin PO
- Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Symphonies nos. 3, 5, & 6 / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Wagner: Orchestral Music
- Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore
ASIN: B0001O3Y8A
Release Date: 2004-04-06 |
Tracks:
- Thema: Chorale St. Antoni
- Variation I (Poco Piu Animato)
- Variation II (Piu Vivace)
- Variation III (Con Moto)
- Variation IV (Andante Con Moto)
- Variation V (Vivace)
- Variation VI (Vivace)
- Variation VII ( Grazioso)
- Variation VIII (Presto Non Troppo)
- Finale (Andante)
- I: Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
- II: Andante Sostenuto
- III: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
- IV: Adagio - Piu Andante - Allegro Non Troppo Ma Con Brio
Tracks:
- I: Allegro Non Troppo
- II: Adagio Non Troppo
- III: Allegretto Grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto Ma Non Assai
- IV: Allegro Con Spirito
- I: Allegro Con Brio - Un Poco Sostenuto
- II: Andante
- III: Poco Allegretto
- IV: Allegro - Un Poco Sostenuto
Tracks:
- Academic Festival Overture Op. 80
- Tragic Overture Op. 81
- Alto Rhapsody Op. 53
- I: Allegro Non Troppo
- II: Andante Moderato
- III: Allegro Giocoso - Poco Meno Presto
- IV: Allegro Energico E Passionato - Piu Allegro
Customer Reviews:
no kidding.......2007-07-06
this IS the best brahms set in the market. honesly, as much as i love klemperer, i was pretty surprised by the amount of tension he managed to retain throughout this studio recording - something the greatest conductors often couldn't do.
To me, and i do not seem to be alone in this regard, the gem of the set is the fourth symphony. It is here that Klemperer simply out does Celibidache, Toscanini, and Furtwangler. The passacaglia is imbued with a sense of inevitability - i was completely taken aback by the impact of the climax. The relationship between the variations was so perfectly thought out that after this recording every other passacaglia seems inconsequential. Furtwangler might have imbued each passage with more fire, but even his profound insight is cursory compared to what Klemperer manages to convey.
Klemperer's supreme sense of architecture and drama also churns out an inimitable Academic Overture, which is also simply the most stunning and satisfying account I have ever heard. While in the beginning the orchestra might not seem completely synchronized, such misgivings are done away with by the time the last theme, the climax, is performed.
the rest are also similarly great, although owing the Furtwangler, Klemperer's first symphony doesn't top the rest of the competition like the other symphonies do.
there are a few records out there that i would call definitive - but this brahms set is the closest ever.
Not sure what all the fuss is about........2006-09-15
For me this set of Brahms is ho-hum. It is average, but nothing special. I feel the same way about Herbert von Kajaran's interpretation of Brahms. Brahms is without a doubt my favorite composer and I have heard many versions of his symphonies. For my tastes, the London Philharmonic's sound has always been too thin for Brahms. The only time I liked the London Philharmonic performing Brahms was Antal Dorati's set on Mercury Living Presence.
I prefer the rich and warm sound of the Berlin Philharmonic. The set of symphonies that Claudio Abbado released on DG in the 1990's has taken top honors for me. Most of the previous traversals with the Berliners (i.e. von Karajan) have taken the tempos too slow for my tastes.
As far as I'm concerned you can do much better elsewhere: Abbado, Szell, and Dorati - heck even Bruno Walter's set with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra is better than this presentation.
Five stars +.......2005-11-14
Klemperer is one of my favourites, probably because I got to know Mahler through him. For me this is the best Brahms symphonies cycle yet. The tempos are well judged as always and the Philharmonia at top form as always under Klemperer. I feel that the 4th is the gem of this cycle unsurpassed in every aspect. Along with the German Requiem again with Klempeper and the Philharmonia I find these CDs the best Brahms orchestral music on the market.
Karajan or Klemperer in Brahms?.......2005-09-29
Otto Klempeerer owes his late career in London and on EMI records to von Karajan. Since its founding in 1949, the Philharmonia Orch. was closely allied with Karajan, who built it up as his own career took off after the war. But when Furtwangler died in 1954 and his arch-rvial Karajan took over the Berlin Phil., the impressario of the Philharmonia, Walter Legge, knew that he neeeded a new stellar conductor or his orchestra would fail. He chose Klemperer, then almost forgotten and already past 65 when he made his initial appearances in London in 1951.
Legge's gamble paid off. Klemperer became the darling of London critics and audiences, and his performance style--measured, serious, with impeccable integrity--became the standard in Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and Brahms. He cared little for beauty of osund, smooth phrasing, or stylistic refinement. Words like "granitic" and "primordial" were used regularly.
Is he the antithesis of Karajan, who valued everything that Klemperer disdained? Listening to these Brahms symphony recordings in improved sound, I think the Klemperer vs. Karajan debate isn't all that valid. These four symphonies aren't granitic or primordial, nor are they particularly slow. In fact, the first movement of the Second moves lightly, as does the finale of the Fourth. If anything, Karajan's presentation is more massive and imposing in every symphony. The main difference begins with Klemperer's steady pace, which he tends to hold without allowing the phrase to be molded as flexibly as Karajan.
Karajan made two complete Brahms cycles for DG, the latter in digital sound. He was undoubtedly a great Brahms conductor, but so was Klemperer. Here the Philharmonia sounds sharp and alert and not very big in number, while Karajan's Berlin forces sound sumptuous and huge.
These two giants had no peer in Brahms from the death of Toscanini to the present day, excepting occasional recordings by Giulini, Bernstein, and perhaps in today's market, Harnoncourt. Some would also rank bruno Walter's two Brahms cycles at this exalted level, but for me only the mono one with the NY Phil., now available on a Sony import, qualifies, and besides the inadequate sonics, the orchestra does not play as beautifully as what we hear in this set. It's great to have Klemperer's classic set, which is totally free of eccentricity, back in such good sound. Five stars without a doubt.
My deserted island pick.......2005-06-20
If I had to go to that deserted island, I would be in doubt of which of these 3 CDs to take with me. I have perhaps 500 classical CDs, but this box stands out. I am not going to write very much, however: Brahms is my favourite composer. Brahms was Klemperer's favourite composer. His conducting is perfect all the way. These are so-called slow interpretations, i.e. compared to Toscanini and Walter, but not slow compared to, say Abbado; I think these tempos are perfectly suited to bring out the richness of the texture. The result I will describe as civilized, human, warm, even hot, dramatic, strictly to the point, even sharp, although there are sharper interpretations out there, but they don't got the same lyrical intensity as Klemperer's.
Average customer rating:
|
No. 1 Wedding Album
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Quartets
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Chamber Music
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by J.S. Bach
| Bach, Johann Sebastian
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Bernstein
| Bernstein, Leonard
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Charpentier
| Charpentier, Marc-Antoine
| ( C )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Franck, César
| ( F )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Gounod
| Gounod, Charles
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Grieg, Edvard
| ( G )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Handel
| Handel, George Frideric
| ( H )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
| Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Mendelssohn
| Mendelssohn, Felix
| ( M )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Nyman
| Nyman, Michael
| ( N )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Pachelbel
| Pachelbel, Johann
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Puccini
| Puccini, Giacomo
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Purcell, Henry
| ( P )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Schubert
| Schubert, Franz
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Stanley
| Stanley, John
| ( S )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
All Works by Wagner
| Wagner, Richard
| ( W )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Concertinos
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Character Pieces
| Short Forms
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Sonatas
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Suites
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Incidental Music
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Purcell, Henry
| Composers
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical (c.1770-1830)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Forms & Genres
| Early Music
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Renaissance (c.1450-1600)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Chamber Music
| Forms & Genres
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vocal & Song
| Romantic (c.1820-1910)
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Trumpet
| Brass
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Keyboard
| Instruments
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( B )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
London Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( L )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
National Philharmonic Orchestra London
| ( N )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( V )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Compilations
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Baroque (c.1600-1750)
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Modern & 20th Century
| Historical Periods
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
German
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Italian
| Languages
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Cantatas
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Oratorios
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Requiems
| Vocal Non-Opera
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Movie Scores
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
Movie Soundtracks
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Soundtracks
| Styles
| Music
General
| Miscellaneous
| Styles
| Music
The Decca Records Store
| Specialty Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- 25 Wedding Favorites
- Classical Wedding Vol. 2
- The Knot Collection of Ceremony and Wedding Music Selected by the Knot's Carley Roney
- Baroque For Brides To Be: A Musical Bouquet for Your Wedding Day
- Romantic Wedding Music on the Harp
ASIN: B000095J85
Release Date: 2003-05-13 |
Tracks:
- Wedding Bells - The #1 Wedding Album
- Bridal Chorus - Wagner
- Allegro - Peter Hurford
- Trumpet Tune And Air - Philip Jones
- Prelude - Pierre Cochereau
- Air - J.S. Bach
- Largo In F - Randall Wolfgang
- Sheep May Safely Graze - J.S. Bach
- Largo Ma Non Tanto - Regis Pasquier
- My Heart Will Go On - Patricia Spero
- Panis Angelicus - Luciano Pavarotti
- Ave Maria - Lisa Otto
- One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras
- Alleluja (Allegro) - Arleen Auger
- See The Conquering Hero Comes - Simon Preston
- Let The Bright Seraphim - Joan Sutherland
- Alla Hornpipe - Handel
- Wedding March - Stephen Cleobury
Tracks:
- Bridal Chorus - Stephen Cleobury
- Trumpet Voluntary - John Wilbraham
- Trumpet Tune In C - Purcell
- Allegro - Maurice Andre
- Sonata - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
- Canon In D - Pachelbel
- The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
- Sleepers Awake - Peter Hurford
- Greensleeves - Goran Sollscher
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
- Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
- O Mio Babbino Caro - Ranata Tebaldi
- How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place - John Scott
- Be My Love - Jose Carreras
- Because - Placido Domingo
- Rondeau - Simon Preston
- Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Wolfgang Marschner
- Canzon In Imitation Of An English Bergamask - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
- La Rejouissance - Handel
- Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Average customer rating:
- A jewel in my collection
- Great Brahms Cycle From An Unexpected Place
- The best Brahms for the best price!
|
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Overtures
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Eschenbach, Christoph
| ( E )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Houston Symphony Orchestra
| ( H )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Opera & Vocal
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- Bruckner: Symphony No. 6
- The Nine Symphonies
- Mahler: Symphony No. 6; Piano Quartet [Hybrid SACD]
- Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Barber: Toccata Festiva
- Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos
ASIN: B00005TNML
Release Date: 2002-05-07 |
Tracks:
- Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.68: I. Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
- Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.68: II. Andante Sostenuto
- Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.68: III. Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
- Symphony No.1 In C Minor, Op.68: IV. Adagio - Piu Andante - Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Brio
- Academic Festival Overture, Op.80
Tracks:
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.73: I. Allegro Non Troppo
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.73: II. Adagio Non Troppo
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.73: III. Allegretto Grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto Ma Non Troppo
- Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.73: IV. Allegro Con Spirito
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: Chorale (St. Antoni)
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: I. Poco Piu Animato
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: II. Piu Vivace
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: III. Con Moto
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: IV. Andante Con Moto
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: V. Vivace
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VI. Vivace
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VII. Grazioso
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: VIII. Presto Non Troppo
- Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a: Finale
Tracks:
- Symphonie No.3 In F Major, Op.90: I. Allegro Non Troppo
- Symphonie No.3 In F Major, Op.90: II. Andante Moderato
- Symphonie No.3 In F Major, Op.90: III. Allegro Giocoso
- Symphonie No.3 In F Major, Op.90: IV. Allegro Energico E Passionato
- Alto Rhapsody, Op.53 - Dunja Vejzovic
Tracks:
- Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98: I. Allegro Non Troppo
- Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98: II. Andante Moderato
- Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98: III. Allegro Giocoso
- Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98: IV. Allegro Energico E Passionato
- Tragic Overture, Op.81
Customer Reviews:
A jewel in my collection.......2005-11-15
Brahms was the torchbearer of the First Viennese School, holding down tradition's fort in the face of the Liszt/Wagner music of the future. Despite his preference for Classical forms and structure, his temperament was unquestionably Romantic. Brahms resolved these seemingly opposite forces in his music, but realizing Brahms' vision in performance can be elusive. Among the symphony cycles, rarely has Brahms sounded so fully Classical and fully Romantic simultaneously than in this set.
The critical element in Eschenbach's readings is that they are somewhat slower than most, with tempi similar to those of Furtwangler's. This approach allows the thick orchestration to breathe, making it easier to appreciate Brahms' unrivaled mastery of musical architecture. Furthermore, it highlights his imagination while remaining within the confines of the traditional symphonic forms. For the slow movements, it fully showcases Brahms' lyricism that a faster tempo would have glossed over.
I did find the first movement of the Fourth to be a little slow, but it was still within the realm of reasonable interpretation. I'm sure it will grow on me as I listen more.
The inclusion of four add-ons is a nice bonus--most Brahms sets include only the Academic Festival and Tragic Overtures. No revelations here, but they are well performed.
Overall, an unbeatable value.
Great Brahms Cycle From An Unexpected Place.......2003-08-29
It's not all the time that it happens, but every once in a while, a symphonic cycle box set made by an orchestra that is not universally seen as a world-class outfit makes an impact. Such is the case here with this cycle of Brahms' four symphonies and various other works performed here by the Houston Symphony Orchestra under the leadership of Christoph Eschenbach, who served as Music Director from 1989 to 2001.
This Brahms cycle was made during the early 90s, and shows both Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony in top form. Eschenbach observes the first-movement exposition repeats of the first three symphonies, thus making their running times longer (the opening of No. 1 is almost nineteen minutes; that of No. 2 nearly twenty-two; and that of No. 3 over thirteen and a half), but the quality is never sacrificed. Dunja Vejzovic and the male voices of the Houston Symphony Chorus are excellent on the recording of Brahms' early choral work Alto Rhapsody; and the orchestra does good work on the Haydn Variations, the Academic Festival Overture, and the highly charged Tragic Overture.
Given all of this, it is bewildering that it has only been in recent times that the Houston Symphony has achieved the respect it has long deserved. After all, many big names had stood on the podium before Eschenbach: Beecham, Stokowski, Barbirolli, and Previn. But Eschenbach seemed to break through the orchestra board's long-time ultra-conservative musical mentality, and thus he elevated the Houston Symphony to world-class status. The proof can be found in this superbly recorded and superbly priced Brahms set, which is well worth seeking out.
The best Brahms for the best price!.......2002-09-23
When I saw this inexpensive 4cd box set, I knew that I had to get it, especially after hearing Eschenbach's recording of Bruckner's 6th w/Houston SO (the best ever btw). Some conductors (eg. Karajan) try to take you into different worlds in the different symphonies. However Eschenbach takes you to different places withnin the same world, giving the listener a more organic-whole musical listening experience. The rhythms are sharp, the readings are dark (Brahms was a hard-core loner) and intense. The opening of the first sym. reminds me of Klemperer, so deep and powerful. The stings are flawless and full of support. When one looks at set prices like Abbado's...the eschenbach set is one of the best Brahms bargain sets of all time. The filler pieces are equally strong, as are the singers in the alto rhap. A must have for all Brahmsians!!
Average customer rating:
- Splendid Brahms Symphony Cycle from Haitink, London Symphony Orchestra
|
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4; Double Concerto; Serenade No. 2
Manufacturer: Lso Live UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Concertinos
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Concertos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Divertimentos
| Serenades & Divertimentos
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Overtures
| Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Classical
| Imports
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 [Special Edition] [Hybrid SACD]
- Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies
- Piano Concerti 1 & 2 / Haydn 5
- Mahler: Symphony No. 9
- Brahms: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
ASIN: B000A6OC6C
Release Date: 2005-10-11 |
Customer Reviews:
Splendid Brahms Symphony Cycle from Haitink, London Symphony Orchestra.......2006-05-12
The London Symphony Orchestra's LSO Live label finally offers as a box set acclaimed conductor Bernard Haitink's latest - and third - Brahms symphony cycle (The other two - which are still available - were recorded by Philips with Haitink conducting the Royal Concertgebouw and Boston Symphony orchestras in the 1970s and early 1990s.). Those interested in a fine Brahms symphony cycle by one of our greatest conductors will not be disappointed with this box set, which compiles the individual LSO Live CDs released over the past few years (These were recorded at live concert performances of Haitink conducting the London Symphony Orchestra primarily back in 2003 and 2004.).
Highlights include Haitink's spellbinding interpretations of the four Brahms symphonies and a brilliant performance by concertmaster Gordan Nikolitch and principal cellist Timothy Hugh of the Brahms Double Concerto. The London Symphony Orchestra's performances are absolutely impeccable, rivalling those from preeminent Dutch, German and Austrian orchestras.
Haitink offers a compelling interpretation of Brahms' 1st Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra in excellent form, which ranks as among the best performed and recorded I have heard. His latest interpretation is one which seems a bit less restrained than his earlier versions, but still replete with strict adherence to Brahms' tempi. His latest interpretation is, in some respects, more exciting than his earlier Philips recordings, emphasizing the rich sonorities and complex architecture of Brahms' score.
Without question Haitink's LSO Live recording is the best live recording of the Brahms 2nd Symphony I have heard, easily eclipsing Kurt Masur's acclaimed account with the New York Philharmonic recorded nearly a decade ago by Teldec. It is also Haitink's finest recording of this work, which he has recorded previously with both the Royal Concertgebouw and Boston Symphony orchestras. Haitink does a wonderful job emphasizing the textural richness of Brahms' score, while keeping the orchestra playing well at a very brisk tempo. However, the real treasure on this recording is the excellent performance of the Double Concerto by the London Symphony's Concertmaster and Principal Cellist which opens this CD. Theirs is a vibrant, rhapsodic performance which compares quite well - indeed I think may be better - than the recent Deutsche Grammophon recording featuring violinist Gil Shaham with Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. Once again the orchestra plays with much intensity and warmth, led ably by Haitink.
Bernard Haitink's LSO Live CD of the Brahms Serenade Number 2 and the 3rd Symphony, is recorded from concerts he conducted in 2002 (serenade) and 2003 (symphony). Brahms' Serenade Number 2 could be regarded as an early precursor to his symphonies, since it is a five-movement work. Haitink leads the London Symphony Orchestra in yet another excellent performance, noted for warm, rhapsodic playing from the string section. However, the best performance on this CD is that of Brahms' Third Symphony. This piece itself is a bit unusual for a 19th Century symphony, in the form of Allegro Andante Poco Allegretto Allegro. In its overall tone, the work itself is a bit "darker" than the Second Symphony, which many have regarded as Brahms' "Pastoral" symphony. Haitink excels in emphasizing the more melancholy aspects of the work, leading the London Symphony Orchestra in the best-conducted and recorded version of this symphony that I've heard so far, with the possible exception of Harnoncourt's Teldec recording with him conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. Haitink's latest recording seems a bit darker than Masur's New York Philharmonic Orchestra recording from Teldec, and perhaps, Harnoncourt's as well.
Haitink has conducted the London Symphony in an unusually warm, vibrant performance of the Brahms 4th Symphony, which is replete with excellent solo performances from the french horns, woodwinds and strings. I was especially pleased with Haitink's dignified, but still brooding, interpretation of the 4th movement, which comes across as a musical interlude between darkness and light. I personally regard this recording of the Brahms 4th symphony as the best currently available, in a crowded pack that includes distinguished recordings from the likes of Claudio Abbado, Herbert Blomstedt, Carlos Kleiber, Kurt Masur, and Kurt Sanderling.
Fans of Haitink's critically acclaimed 1970s Brahms symphony cycle may miss the ambient warmth of the Concertgebouw's main concert hall in this Brahms symphony cycle, but I will contend that these new recordings sound more vivid than the earlier Philips recordings. LSO Live is currently releasing Haitink's second Beethoven symphony cycle from live performances he conducted last year; I am eagerly awaiting these, suspecting that they will be regarded as among the finest Beethoven symphony recordings issued in the last few years. Later this year he will be visiting New York City, leading the London Symphony Orchestra in a Beethoven symphony cycle at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Not only do I look forward to this visit, but also to Haitink's future performances at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium as Principal Conductor of the venerable Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Average customer rating:
- "A bit of musicality, please!!!!!"
- Exploring the Brahms Symphonies -- Nos. 2 and 3
- Wonderful Brahms
- Symponic dissapointment
- No Repeats?
|
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
CDs Under $7
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
CDs $7 - $10
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
Classical Music
| The Sony BMG Masterworks Store
| Amazon.com Label Stores
| Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Academic Festival Overture; Tragic Overture
- Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Hungarian Dances
- Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture
- Strauss: Til Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks/Don Juan/Death And Transfiguration
- Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter
ASIN: B0000027OD
Release Date: 1992-01-03 |
Tracks:
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro non troppo
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio non troppo
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: III. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Anfantino) - Presto ma non assai
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: IV. Allegro con spirito
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: I. Allegro con brio
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: II. Andante
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: III. Poco Allegretto
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: IV. Allegro
Amazon.com
Few orchestras ever achieve the sort of chamber-music transparency of sound that George Szell drilled into his Cleveland players, and it's simply perfect for Brahms. No thick textured instrumental muck here! Szell leads his band through magnificently taut performances of both symphonies, full of illuminating detail in the wind section and attentive to the music's every nuance. In short, a great conductor at work in great music. --David Hurwitz
Customer Reviews:
"A bit of musicality, please!!!!!" .......2006-03-30
This recording of Brahm's symphonies is musical garbage. George Szell was well known and critized for his precision. When dealing with classical greats like Mozart and Haydn, George Szell is one of the first conductors I seek after. I recommend his recordings of Mozart's 39th, 40th, and 41st. But!!! George Szell's abilities as a Romantic Period conductor (Brahms!) are lacking in the highest degree. Listening to this recording is like having to look at van Gogh's "Starry Night" painted with nothing but straight lines. The highest quality recording of Brahms's 'Third Symphony' that I've heard was recorded by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. That recording comes on a disc that also includes and excellent, excellent rendition of Mendelssohn's "Hebrides Overture." As for BOXED SETs of the Brahm's Symphonies, Otto Klemperer's recording comes with my highest recommendations. Otto Klemperer KNEW the work of Brahms like few else. He even chided himself for writing pieces that sounded more like Brahms than like Klemperer. His recording of the Brahms Symphonies is available on EMI Classic's 'Great Recordings of the Century' label.
Exploring the Brahms Symphonies -- Nos. 2 and 3.......2005-02-18
I have been listening to a great deal of Brahms in the process of reading the musical biographies by Malcolm Macdonald and Jan Swafford. I took the opportunity to revist the Brahms second and third symphonies in the performances by George Szell and the Clevland Orchestra. These performances are strongly conducted as Szell shapes the scores as a whole while bringing out their many details. The playing of the Cleveland Orchestra is inspiring. Orchestration is sometimes considered as Brahms's weak point, but the instruments, winds, brass, cello, percussion come through dramatically in this recording. This CD is a reissue of a classic performance at a budget price. The listener new to Brahms can turn to this CD confident of first-rate performance and give full attention to Brahms's music.
I found a passage in Swafford's biography of Brahms most helpful in considering how to approach the symphonies. Swafford draws on several other writers, and I am omitting the references here. He says: (Swafford, Brahms, pp. 492-493)
"A paradox of Brahms is that he functioned within the contexts of musical genres and of concert life as they existed in his time, yet composed as he lived, a loner in company. Brahms's symphonies...are directed not at the bourgeois public as a whole but primarily at the indiviual listener at the subject immersed in his feelings and thoughts and are thus perceived as though they were chamber music.. A Brahms symphony is virtually a musical attestation of the fact that each member of a crowd is nevertheless entirely on his own. ... The music speaks to each listener in that private self, her yearings, his aloneness -- each person's meanings."
Every listener will discover something in this music through the promptings of heart and mind.
Brahms's composed the symphony no. 2 in D major, Op. 73 in 1877 at the age of 44. This work is lyric and elevated in tone with, for many listeners, more than a touch of melancholy. The tempos in the first three movements are deliberate and reflective while the finale is quickly paced and ends on a note of triumph. The first movement features two lyrical themes. The second theme, in particular is a flowing melody in the cello with a touch of sadness which seems to me to look back to lost days. The second movement is based upon a flowing serene theme in the lower strings which reminds me of a Haydn slow movement, much amplified. The third movement is wistful in character with a theme in the oboe. It is gracious, dancelike, and I think sad. The finale opens with a hushed wandering figure in the lower strings which becomes prominent as the movement proceeds. There is a beautiful stauntering second theme as if the composer or the listener is taking stock of all that has happened before. The symphony comes to a triumphant conclusion with blaring brass in their upper registers.
The symphony number 3 in F major, Op. 90 was composed in 1883, six years after the second symphony. This too is a lyrical work (Some listeners may be surprised with Brahms's lyricism as some are surprised with Beethoven's.) but it is far more melancholy than the second. It is monumental and architectural in scope but still highly romantic. Listen closely to the first few notes in the brass with which the work opens because much of the symphony is based upon them. The first theme, which derives from Robert Schumann's Rhenish Symphony, is surging and passionate. It alternates in the course of the movement with quieter, more lyrical sections, and it returns at the very end of the symphony. The second movement begins with a meditative, walking clarinet solo which broadens out into flowing song. The third movement consists of a haunting, dusky dance in the lower strings which reminds me of two old lovers, or near-lovers, reminiscing after many years of what they had missed. The finale is large and magesterial. Suddenly at the end the music slows down dramatically, the volume diminishes, the opening of the symphony is recalled, and the work moves to a hushed close.
This CD makes an outstanding introduction to the Brahms symphonies.
Wonderful Brahms.......2004-05-26
If you are looking for well thought out interpretations without the overt moulding of phrasing that Karajan and Kleiber involve themselves with ---then here you have lean and mean Brahms!
I tend to find these performances lack the overt mannerism in other discs.
Wonderfully caught is the blended wind sound of the Cleveland orchestra with the burnished string sound Cleveland is famous for.
These are very well remastered without the annoying harshness that ruined the lps for me back in the 70s. The Brahms cycle by Szell is worth it's weight in Gold!
Symponic dissapointment.......2004-03-31
Generally speaking Szell tends to convice through his ear for balance rather then seeking warmth...the Cleveland orchestra for the most part are given a recording that is dry and dessicated. Woodwind solos are generally good but with little or not inflection and nuance. I was very dissapointed with the slow movement of Symphony no. 2...it was rather plodding and too straighforward. William Steinberg in Pittsburgh was much more involving and committed.
I have found too many people quick to find the right set of Brahms records...Sanderling is my first choice in terms of warmth of phasing and passion. Although his tempos are a bit slower...he doesn't allow the Dresden Statskappelle to gloss over the Brahms symphonies like Cleveland does here....
Don't get me wrong, I think Szell is good, but as I get older I realize the well-oiled Cleveland machine under Szell is a bit like kissing the chrome plating on the bumper of a Cadillac!!!
No Repeats?.......2003-12-17
Overall, this is a standard recording Brahms 2 and 3. There's is nothing flashy or "creative," just solid playing from a world-class orchestra led by a world-class conductor. I'll admit that I was a little upset by the fact that Szell decided not to take the repeats for this recording... it cheats the listener of minutes of beautiful music. However, no repeats set aside, the music is wonderful, and you can't go wrong with this recording. This is a must have recording for any aspiring orchestral musician.
Average customer rating:
- Karajan in Brahms--early or late?
- Simply the Best ever committed to record.
- Karajan: 5 stars; Remastering: 1 star
|
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General Modern
| Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
| Historical Periods
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
| ( B )
| Featured Performers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
CDs $7 - $10
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Classical General
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
All Bargain Titles
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Today's Deals in Music
| Formats
| Music
Deutsche Grammophon: Music
| Specialty Stores
| Music
Similar Items:
- Brahms, Schumann: Symphony No. 1 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Academic Festival Overture; Tragic Overture
- Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
- Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, etc / Karajan, Berlin PO
ASIN: B000001GBU
Release Date: 1990-05-01 |
Tracks:
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro non troppo
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: 2. Adagio non troppo - L'istesso tempo, ma grazioso
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: 3. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto ma non assai - Tempo I
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: 4. Allegro con spirito
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: I. Allegro con brio
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: 2. Andante
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: 3. Poco Allegretto
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: 4. Allegro
Amazon.com
There's no rule that a conductor's latest recording will necessarily be his best--in fact the opposite is usually the case. But here's the exception that proves the rule. Herbert von Karajan recorded the Brahms symphonies three times for DG, never very successfully, until his last go-round proved that he could play this music with sympathy and style. Since the coupling is unique, and generous, if you're looking for these two works, this disc will certainly please. --David Hurwitz
Customer Reviews:
Karajan in Brahms--early or late?.......2005-11-02
Contrary to the Amazon reviewer's nonsense, Karajan was the pre-eminent Brahms conductor of the postwar era, rivalled only by Klemperer and late Bernstein. Here we have part of his earliest, 1964, cycle at budget price (though not remastered, I assume) to compare with his digital cycle from the Eighties. Since both the Second and Third Sym. are involved, I'll be briefer than when I compared the First and Fourth, each given its own disc.
Sound: Judging from their beautifully remastered version of the First from 1964, DG could have done wonders with the Second and Third, too. But they didn't. Despite the natural perpective from just a bit closer than mid-hall, the upper strings are scratchy and shrill at higher volumes. The later digital sonics are much warmer, closer miked, and with greater impact. If only the earlier recording didn't sound so rackety.
Tempos: Karajan knew what he wanted in Brahms and didn't tend to change his interpretations. Timings in the Second Sym. are nearly identical early and late, though Karajan is a minute faster in the second movement later on--this is characteristic of him. In the Third he adheres closely to the same tempos set in 1964. Neither is on the slow side by comparison to most other conductors.
Interpretation: Despite his reputation for becoming sleek and glib in late life, Karajan was a towering Brahms conductor; if anything, he wanted more urgency and intensity later in life. His propulsive view of Brahms is the opposite of Furtwangler's highly personal and much slower style. In 1964 Karajan conducted a fine Second, but his 1986 reading blazes brighter and higher: it's one of the absolute best on record, full of energy and orchestral magnificence. Quite impressive in a symphony where too many conductors dawdle nostalgically.
I don't hear a big difference between the 1964 Third and its digital follow-up in 1988, a year before Karajan's death. It's generally agreed that this was the strongest of Karajan's Brahms, and both readings are passionate, huge in scale, propulsive, and incredibly exciting. There's nothing to touch them, really, and only the better sonics from 1988, plus a tuoch more urgency, gives it the nod.
Overall, this is a great CD that no other Brahms conductor can match in terms of intensity except Toscanini and in terms of emotional involvement except Furtwangler. It's a shame that DG hasn't done the right thing and given these performances the remastering they deserve. (And a further shame that the Amazon reviewer is so galling in his dismissal of profound music-making.)
Simply the Best ever committed to record........2004-05-26
I have so long tired of these works...they are overdone, overplayed and in many ways become a dull and lackluster experience to any classical listening/musician. However, Karajan has an approach which some may considered controlled yet he allows phrases to breathe and in many ways emote which conductors like Szell can only dream of touching in this repetoire.
Proof is in the Second symphony at the end towards the coda(First movement). The warmth of playing coupled with such lack of affectation as well as the tremendous feeling of flow of the coda IS the most satifying ever put to disc ever. Karajan in Brahms is truly a giant and stands way above any other conductor of the 20th Century.
Karajan: 5 stars; Remastering: 1 star.......2003-08-04
First of all, ignore Hurwitz (always a good idea in any case). This is not Herbie's last cycle (nor is his last cycle, when Herbie was half deaf and half dead, his best). Nor is it, as some reviewers below have said, his first. (That's on EMI.) As far as I can tell, this his second, though his first for DG. This is one of my very favorite recordings of No. 2 out there. Karajan is often accused of being too soft-edged and thick with the strings, but this is, to my ears, just what the doctor ordered for the Second, and those glorious Berlin strings shine. (Somehow British or American or Russian ochestras can't compete in this kind of music.) Karajan has a great sense of the architecture of this music; be forwarned he does not take repeats, but I don't care, I don't feel it diminishes this performance. In fact, Brahms himself, near the end of his life, begged a conductor to omit the repeats in a performance of the second symphony. The conductor was surprised, because at the premiere Brahms had taken them all. Brahms supposedly replied, "No one knew the tunes then."
But we all know the tunes now. And what glorious tunes they are. Some conductors almost seem embarrassed to take the Big Themes in all their glory, as though this symphony is too naive or something. Well, that was the essence of Brahms--a crotchety old guy who was really a big softie at heart. And that heart is on his sleeve in this work. The Finale is the most exuberant, thrilling reading I've ever heard (save for another, earlier Karajan perfomrnace, on EMI.) The energy is exhilerating; this is Brahms in love with the world.
The 3rd symphony is less successful, but that's not surprising. There are few recordings in existence where the conductor seems to know what to do with this enigmatic work. Even the great Furtwangler couldn't seem to decide if this is an intimate or thunderous work. The only conductor who has gotten this just right of all the recordings I've heard (Jochum, Solti, Barenboim, Masur, Furtwangler, Karajan, Bernstein, Mengelberg) is Mravinsky, with the former Leningrad Philharmonic, on BMG/Melodiya. Yet, I can't put into words *why* that recording works so well, so I've yet to review it.
Now for the bad news. The sound on this issue is awful--fuzzy and distant. I used to have this on scratchy used vinyl (original issue) and, pops and clicks aside, that sounded better than this CD, so I tried to ignore the pops and listened to the vinyl rather than this CD. But there is hope! There's a French version of this very same pairing that has excellent sound. It comes in a yellow cardboard sleeve and the notes are entirely in French. And the good news is Amazon is now carrying it--for a long while it didn't. Hear the same music that's here, only remastered *properly.* I've reviewed that better set elsewhere, so if you think you're interested, just go to "See all of my review" and search for it. Happy listening.
Average customer rating:
- Brahms rediscovered!
- Only one to rival Kleiber
- Eccentric, yes, but there's some special musicmaking here
- the best brahms out there
- A Dangerous Recording
|
CELIBIDACHE / Münchner Philharmoniker - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2, 3 & 4
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
All Works by Brahms
| Brahms, Johannes
| ( B )
| Featured Composers, A-Z
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Romantic
| Symphonies
| Forms & Genres
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Symphonies
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
General
| Classical
| Styles
| Music
Similar Items:
- CELIBIDACHE / Münchner Philharmoniker - Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Ein deutsches Requiem
- CELIBIDACHE / Münchner Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
- Mozart: Requiem
- Schumann: Piano Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
- CELIBIDACHE / Münchner Philharmoniker - Bruckner: Symphony No. 4
ASIN: B00000JQI7
Release Date: 1999-08-10 |
Tracks:
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: Applause
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro non troppo
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio non troppo - L'istesso tempo, ma grazioso
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: III. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto ma non assai - Tempo l
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: IV. Allegro con spirito
- Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 73: Applause
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op.90: I. Allegro con brio
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: II. Andante
Tracks:
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: III. Poco Allegretto
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: IV. Allegro
- Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 90: Applause
- Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: I. Allegro non troppo
- Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: II. Andante moderato
- Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: III. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto - Tempo l
- Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: IV. Allegro energico e passionato - Piu Allegro
- Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: Applause
Customer Reviews:
Brahms rediscovered!.......2007-04-08
There are so many good versions of theses symphonies out there that one could wonder why try a new one? As much as I regard say Harnoncoourt or Kleiber as superb renditions of Brahms' second or fourth, they seem at times almost prosaic compared with Cellibidache own reading. The music flows, breathes with such liberty that you get the impression something has been missing in other interpertations. I was determined to buy this cd based on the two comments I read on Amazon, notbably the one written by John B. Wolff and I feel indebted to him for making me sharing this musical experience.
Only one to rival Kleiber.......2007-01-05
2nd and 3rd are also very very good indeed but i think the highlight of this 2cds is the fourth.Wisdom in Celibidache's approach and his bands passion is equaled by only Carlos Kleiber and Vienna Philharmonic in the recording which is thought to be the definitive recording of this excellent masterpiece.So tragic,so beautiful.Worthy of money at any price.
Eccentric, yes, but there's some special musicmaking here.......2006-07-09
The Celibidache fans have turned out in force for these live Brahms performances from Munich, but if you're not a convert, what should you expect? Many listeners, having read reviews about Celi's glacial tempos, don't sample his many posthumous recordings. That's too bad, because although the conductor had highly idiosyncratic views of performance, hugely influenced by esoteric writings from an obscure German guru, he was a real maestro.
You have to relax and surrender to the very slow tempos here. To compare this Brahms Second with Toscanini's famous mono account with the NBC Sym. on RCA:
Celibidache Toscanini
1st mvt. 17:15 14:30
2nd mvt. 13:04 8:25
3rd mvt. 6:02 5:22
4th mvt. 11:01 8:52
Except in the Scherzo, these are huge differences that change the entire complexion of the mood, pace, phrasing, melody, and balance. But just as Toscanini's fleet Brahms creates its own world, so does Celibidache's. Because it's such an extreme world, I find it hard to award stars. You just have to go there. Be assured that EMI's sonics, taken from radio broadcasts, are excellent, and that the Munich Phil, who adored their conductor, play with great passion. They aren't the Vienna Phil, but they don't need to be.
The only caveat is that Cli had a method, and therefore these eadings all tend to evoke the same feelings--he's not out to find a unique character that spearates the Second Sym. from the Fourth, for example, unlike other conductors who find the former work pastoral and the latter tragic. This is all Celibidache--a broad, deep river that carries us across a landscape of spiritual loftiness. You may, or may not, be willing to tkae the journey.
the best brahms out there.......2002-02-02
I've listened to the other authorized celibidache edition on dg.....I've listened to bernstien's early cycles with the new york philharmonic and later versions in germany on dg..I've heard szell on sony, barenboim in chicago, harnoncourt in berlin, dorati on the mercury label..I've paid attention to solti, sawallisch and sanderling...no one comes close to understanding brahms like celibidache does on this recording except maybe his earlier 1959 version with the milan symphony orchestra...the phrasing is so smooth as if it's rhythm is all that matters in life...it's the first recording where the passages with low volume carry as much weight as the louder parts...if you're a brahms fan, this cd is a must...it's too bad brahms didn't write more symphonies, just so that celibidache could conduct them.
A Dangerous Recording.......2000-05-15
I have listened many times to these recordings. The danger is that you may reach the decision that I am about to implement. After this, all the other recordings of these symphonies seem like cold gruel. There are no rivals to these recordings. Listen to the breathing of the orchestra; it not an orchestra as we know it; it is a chamber ensemble. Each phrase is started and ended in a manner that is so natural and so human that is gives a palpabilitiy to the emotional as well as the intellectual; it truly is music that breathes. I am 70 years old. I am so glad I lived long enough to hear this wonderful conductor and to say thanks to the family and EMI for making it possible to listen to this great man and his great music. If you like classical music then buy these symphonies. You will never be sorry. P.S. The sound is fine!
Average customer rating:
- Highly recommendable version
- head south
- None More Musical
- Can vary by taste but this set i
|