The Classical Chat Thread

[kishnevi]

Moving on to Brahms's other compositions: Why is double concerto less loved than other concertos when the last movement of it is IMO the most badass concerto movement Brahms ever wrote?

For me, the Double Concerto was the first Brahms work I truly connected with, in part because of the first movement's main theme, and it still remains my favorite Brahms composition.

[EigenUser]

For me, the Double Concerto was the first Brahms work I truly connected with, in part because of the first movement's main theme, and it still remains my favorite Brahms composition.

Is it this one?

DAAAA-da-da. DAAAA-da-da. DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA *enter cello*

[amw]

I haven't heard much Brahms because I was kind of put off by the double. I also attended a performance of Brahms 2nd symphony which I felt very similarly about (beautiful, but too long)

Could try some of the piano pieces, which tend to be significantly shorter. Also the variations and overtures. (And get a pianist to read through some of the sonatas with you if you want, they're almost completely sightreadable)

You might also find the orchestra transcriptions entertaining. ASIN B000000AKC has the two "essential" ones.

[Karl Henning]

I haven't heard much Brahms because I was kind of put off by the double. I also attended a performance of Brahms 2nd symphony which I felt very similarly about (beautiful, but too long), but fortunately Bartok's 2nd PC and Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" were there to save the day.

Try the c minor piano quartet . . . .

For me, the Double Concerto was the first Brahms work I truly connected with, in part because of the first movement's main theme, and it still remains my favorite Brahms composition.

I listened to it again yesterday, one of the recordings in the Oistrakh box (so, though this be heresy, I couldn't say off the top of my head whether the cellist had been Slava or Fournier).  I always enjoy the piece when I am listening to it, to be sure.

[TheGSMoeller]

My biggest beef with Brahms' Double is the lackluster ending, but that doesn't ruin the previous 30 minutes in any way. Still a enjoyable piece. And it does have a blockbuster opening...

DAAAA-da-da. DAAAA-da-da. DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA *enter cello*

...what a great way to begin. 

[Karl Henning]

Brahms channeling Grieg;  that didn't happen all that often!

[jochanaan]

My biggest beef with Brahms' Double is the lackluster ending...

I beg to differ!  The ending is as perfect as the rest of the concerto.  However, lots of modern recordings take that last movement too slowly.  The old Nathan Milstein/Gregor Piatigorsky recordings, one with Toscanini and one with Reiner (my personal favorite) get the tempo just right, with a special rhythmic snap that serves it very well indeed.  And there may be some modern recordings with a faster finale.

[TheGSMoeller]

I beg to differ!  The ending is as perfect as the rest of the concerto.  However, lots of modern recordings take that last movement too slowly.  The old Nathan Milstein/Gregor Piatigorsky recordings, one with Toscanini and one with Reiner (my personal favorite) get the tempo just right, with a special rhythmic snap that serves it very well indeed.  And there may be some modern recordings with a faster finale.

Do not beg, you'll make me feel guilty. 
I'll look for those Recs, they might be on Spotify. I only have two recordings of the work, would love to get my hands on another, a few. Thanks!! 

[jochanaan]

Do not beg, you'll make me feel guilty. 
I'll look for those Recs, they might be on Spotify. I only have two recordings of the work, would love to get my hands on another, a few. Thanks!! 

As I recall, I found the Milstein/Toscanini recording on YouTube.

[TheGSMoeller]

As I recall, I found the Milstein/Toscanini recording on YouTube.

Ah, cool. I keep forgetting to look at YouTube. There is some good stuff posted there.

[Brahmsian]

Try the c minor piano quartet . . . .

Re:  Brahms' Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60   sometimes nicknamed "Werther", or as I like to nickname it "Werther's Original", like the candy. 

You da man, Karl!!    A great recommendation.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

My biggest beef with Brahms' Double is the lackluster ending

  To me that movement has one of the greatest melodies Brahms has ever created. I can't get it out of my head! Of course melody alone does not make a great piece but I think Brahms handles the movement magnificently.

Duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, da da da da...

[Pat B]

The old Nathan Milstein/Gregor Piatigorsky recordings, one with Toscanini and one with Reiner (my personal favorite) get the tempo just right, with a special rhythmic snap that serves it very well indeed.

Oh. That's tempting even though I already own more Brahms doubles (and particularly more vintage recordings) than I probably need. But I always enjoy Milstein's playing. youtube has parts of the Reiner one but not the whole thing.

I like Heifetz and Piatigorsky with Wallenstein. I am not generally a fan of Heifetz's stereo recordings. This is the exception.

[EigenUser]

  To me that movement has one of the greatest melodies Brahms has ever created. I can't get it out of my head! Of course melody alone does not make a great piece but I think Brahms handles the movement magnificently.

Duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, duh da da, da da da da...

I will admit that I do love that melody, actually.

[EigenUser]

I got the score to Mahler 7 and "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" today. Too bad I couldn't buy them as individual movements.

Also, I got a solo piano reduction of the "Sirenes" from Debussy's "Trois Nocturnes". And the scores of Mendelssohn's 8th and 10th string symphonies. And the score/set of parts for Haydn 14, 16, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

[jochanaan]

I got the score to Mahler 7 and "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" today. Too bad I couldn't buy them as individual movements.

Also, I got a solo piano reduction of the "Sirenes" from Debussy's "Trois Nocturnes". And the scores of Mendelssohn's 8th and 10th string symphonies. And the score/set of parts for Haydn 14, 16, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

Excellent selections!  I can spend hours or days in any Mahler score, especially the later ones!

[Karl Henning]

Oh, is Jn Adams taking it hard that his work is not reaching the wide audience which he would like?

My heart bleeds for him, truly.  He has so few opportunities . . . .

[EigenUser]

Oh, is Jn Adams taking it hard that his work is not reaching the wide audience which he would like?

My heart bleeds for him, truly.  He has so few opportunities . . . .

Apparently there was pressure from Jewish groups because they deemed it offensive. How much do you want to bet that Saul is involved in this somehow?

[Ken B]

Oh, is Jn Adams taking it hard that his work is not reaching the wide audience which he would like?

My heart bleeds for him, truly.  He has so few opportunities . . . .

Is this in reference to the recent furor over his dreck opera about Klinghoffer?

[Karl Henning]

Aye.

There is a difference of opinion, though.  To you, the opera is dreck.  To another, it is a turd.