Brahms: Symphonie No. 3; Tragische Ouverture

1. Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

2. Tragic Overture, in D minor, Op. 81
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Product Description

Amazon.com
A good Brahms Third from a conductor who was not as great a Brahms conductor as he thought he was, three complete symphony cycles for DG notwithstanding. Unfortunately, you can also get Claudio Abbado's newer, better sounding, better conducted version of the same symphony on the same label at the same price. So unless you're a Herbert von Karajan completist, there's no particular reason that you need to have this recording, though it's no disgrace if you do. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Sym No. 3 F, Op.90: Allegro Con Brio
Sym No. 3 F, Op.90: Andante
Sym No. 3 F, Op.90: Poco Allegretto
Sym No. 3 F, Op.90: Allegro
Tragic Overture, Op.81: Allegro Non Troppo/Molto Piu Moderato/Tempo Primo/Un Poco Sostenuto/In Tempo

Amazon.com

A good Brahms Third from a conductor who was not as great a Brahms conductor as he thought he was, three complete symphony cycles for DG notwithstanding. Unfortunately, you can also get Claudio Abbado's newer, better sounding, better conducted version of the same symphony on the same label at the same price. So unless you're a Herbert von Karajan completist, there's no particular reason that you need to have this recording, though it's no disgrace if you do. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The symphony performance is great - the overture is poor.......1999-08-29

In regards to the 3rd sypmohny: It is surprising, that at the age of 80, Karajan provides us with fire and passion and emotion erupting like it does. Not so much technical-perfection minded anymore, he concentrates on the emotion, and the result is sheer excitement. This does not, however, concern the recording of the Tragic Overture, done in 1983. The performance here is shallow, violent and unsatisfying, and the technical problems of the orchestra playing are disturbing, not to say annoying. The 1964 version of this recording of the overture ( with the Vienna Philharmonic, to found with recording company Decca ), is the best one, probably the very best ever made, an emotional volcano.

Brahms: Symphonie No. 3; Tragische Ouvertüre; Alt-Rhapsodie

Average customer rating:

A disappointing Brhams Third, better Tragic Over.

Brahms: Symphonie No. 3; Tragische Ouvertüre; Alt-Rhapsodie

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001GLY
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Customer Reviews:

A disappointing Brhams Third, better Tragic Over. .......2005-10-17

Because of the stellar talent involved, I can see rating this CD higher. For me, however, it typifies Levin'es star-crossed career as an orchestral conductor. As I am now rediscovering, he has made a number of excellent CDs outside the oepra house--many are gathered on a bargain 4-disc box from DG that samples the best of the many recordings he made for them.

But Levine didn't catch on with the public or with critics as an interpreter of Brahms, Beethove, Mozart, Schubert, and Mendelssohn. Without the German classics an orchestral career is hard to build. DG kept issuing one neutral, efficient reading after another. Levine is really best with Mahler and the twentieth century. This Brahms Thrid is a straight ahead reading with no special point of view; it quickly lapses into that efficiency I spoke about before. The Tragic Over. is more gripping, and the Alto Rhapsody is fine, albeit von Otter can't erase memories of Janet Baker or christa Ludwig in their classic EMI readings with Boult and Klemperer respectively.

I think I will keep on buying as many Levine orchestral recorings as I can find, however, because in recent years Levine has done such wonders with the Boston Sym. that thee must be many hidden gems in his past efforts. HIs totally neglected Munch years, which just ended, have produced some exceptional readings on the obscure Oehme label, for example. But this Brahms Thrid isn't to my liking.