Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Academic Festival Overture; Schumann: Genoveva & Manfred Overtures

1. Academic Festival Overture, for orchestra in C minor ("Akademische Festouvertüre"), Op. 80
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Otto Klemperer

2. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Otto Klemperer

3. Genoveva, opera, Op. 81 Overture
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Otto Klemperer

4. Manfred, overture & incidental music, Op. 115 Overture
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Otto Klemperer

Tracks:

Academic Festival-Overture, Op.80
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 giocosco
Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op.98: IV: Allegro energico e passionato
Overture: Genoveva, Op. 81: Overture: Genoveva, Op.81
Overture: Manfred, Op.115

Customer Reviews:

Great Recording Falls Short.......2000-08-02

I have a previous EMI CD issue of Klemperer's 4th Symphony which is complimented by the equally great 3rd Symphony. Some stores still carry it. This compilation, however, is nowhere near as great even though Klemperer's recording of the 4th is the greatest and most colorful I have ever found. Better recordings are still available of the Academic Overture such as Sony Classics' George Szell or if you want nostalghia, RCA Victor's Toscanni. The Schumann Overtures have a historical context since Schumann was one of Brahms' mentor but I frankly don't see how anyone could be satisfied with the overtures after hearing the intense, expansive chords of Brahms' 4th. Possibly Klemperer's recording of 'Fingal's Cave by Mendelssohn would have been more suitable.

I'll settle for the older Cd version with the 3rd Symphony. That would would be the 'Klemperer Legacy' at its finest.

Track Listings: