Brahms' Alto Rhapsody recommendations

[aligreto]

I really like Brahms' Alto Rhapsody. The music means something to me on an emotional level particularly when the emotional intensity of a given contralto's performance shines through.
I also like the form; the relatively simple structure enhances the impact of the emotional content.
I have the following versions in my collection:

Abbado / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Lipovsek
Gardiner / Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique / Stutzmann
Herreweghe / Orchestre des Champs-Élysées / Hallenberg
Klemperer / Philharmonia Orchestra / Ludwig
Krauss / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Ferrier
Nelson / Ensemble A Sei Voci / Blythe



Do you like the work and, if so, what further recommendations would you make?

[Mandryka]

I really like Brahms' Alto Rhapsody. The music means something to me on an emotional level particularly when the emotional intensity of a given contralto's performance shines through.
I also like the form; the relatively simple structure enhances the impact of the emotional content.
I have the following versions in my collection:

Abbado / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Lipovsek
Gardiner / Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique / Stutzmann
Herreweghe / Orchestre des Champs-Élysées / Hallenberg
Klemperer / Philharmonia Orchestra / Ludwig
Krauss / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Ferrier
Nelson / Ensemble A Sei Voci / Blythe



Do you like the work and, if so, what further recommendations would you make?

As long as you're not after perfect sound, my choice is Sinopoli/Fassbaender.

[aligreto]

As long as you're not after perfect sound, my choice is Sinopoli/Fassbaender.

No, I am more about performance, particularly for something like this.
I always find Sinopoli interesting so straight onto the List.
Thank you for that.

[Jo498]

I remember Fassbaender as great but the rest of that DG disc with Sinopoli is very easily bettered (the overall sound is not great on the disc)
Not sure about the Triumphlied because this is the only version I have but there are certainly better recordings for Nänie and Schicksalslied (e.g. Abbado/DG or Davis/RCA).
So if you find Fassbaender cheaply or can stream it, get it, otherwise decide if it's worth mainly for the Rhapsody.
(And if you like Fassbaender get her ealry 1980s Brahms Lieder recital that appeared on several cheapo labels, one of my favorite Lieder discs.)

Of your list I have Ludwig/Klemp and Lipovsek, as well as another Ludwig (Böhm, I think) and Stutzman/Davis and maybe another one somewhere as filler. But I can't say anything about them without re-listening.

[aligreto]

(And if you like Fassbaender get her ealry 1980s Brahms Lieder recital that appeared on several cheapo labels, one of my favorite Lieder discs.)

That is an interesting aside; thank you for that.

[Mandryka]

Another one that I enjoyed is Van Beinum/Heynis. And Tuxen/Ferrier too.

(The reason I can make these recommendations is that about five years ago I listened to every recording I could lay my hands on, but I haven't investigated recent releases at all. I haven't heard Herreweghe as far as I remember.)

[aligreto]

Another one that I enjoyed is Van Beinum/Heynis. And Tuxen/Ferrier too.

(The reason I can make these recommendations is that about five years ago I listened to every recording I could lay my hands on, but I haven't investigated recent releases at all. I haven't heard Herreweghe as far as I remember.)

Thank you again for that.
I can definitely recommend the Herreweghe as it is a fine performance with the usual Herreweghe treatment.

[Holden]

Bruno Walter, I think with Mildred Miller. The recording I've got doesn't give me all the details.

[ritter]

Bruno Walter, I think with Mildred Miller. The recording I've got doesn't give me all the details.

I'm not much of a Brahmin, but do find things to admire in the Alto Rhapsody. And, yes, the Mildred Miller / Bruno Walter is a very good perfomance IMHO (even if the vocalist is not as much a mega-star as some of her competitors). There's  something particualrly idiomatic and flowing to this recording, that makes it a winner.

[aligreto]

I'm not much of a Brahmin, but do find things to admire in the Alto Rhapsody. And, yes, the Mildred Miller / Bruno Walter is a very good perfomance IMHO (even if the vocalist is not as much a mega-star as some of her competitors). There's  something particualrly idiomatic and flowing to this recording, that makes it a winner.

Thank you for clarifying the Holden recommendation above. I am an admirer of Walter but I do not think that I have any recordings of him in Brahms so that should be an interesting exercise in itself.

[prémont]

Sinclair  / Boult  (as far as I know only LP)

and

Heynis  /  van Beinum

are my choices.

[aligreto]

Sinclair  / Boult  (as far as I know only LP)

and

Heynis  /  van Beinum

are my choices.

Another recommendation for the Heynis/van Beinum version.
I like my vinyl so I might try to track down the Sinclair/Boult version too.

Thank you for that.

[The new erato]

Another recommendation for the Heynis/van Beinum version.
I like my vinyl so I might try to track down the Sinclair/Boult version too.

Thank you for that.

Aafje Heynis - a name I haven't seen in years. She died just before Christmas BTW. RIP.

[Mandryka]

Another recommendation for the Heynis/van Beinum version.
I like my vinyl so I might try to track down the Sinclair/Boult version too.

Thank you for that.

Here's Sinclair/Boult

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Monica_Sinclair_Brahms_Symphony_No_3_Boult_1954?id=Bfhdoayqlcm47s4dyj5sci7eoju

[aligreto]

Here's Sinclair/Boult

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Monica_Sinclair_Brahms_Symphony_No_3_Boult_1954?id=Bfhdoayqlcm47s4dyj5sci7eoju

Thank you very much for the link.
From the free access bit that I have heard it sounds taught and dramatic and one that I would definitely be interested in purchasing.

[prémont]

Here's Sinclair/Boult

https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Monica_Sinclair_Brahms_Symphony_No_3_Boult_1954?id=Bfhdoayqlcm47s4dyj5sci7eoju

Well, you were faster than I 

Is the rest of the set (symphonies, ouvertures, Haydn variations) also available from this source?