Brahms Symphony Cycles

[Brian]

Has he completed the cycle? Gielen, that is. If he has, where do I buy it?

He has.  It's only on single CDs, though; results 2, 3 and 4 here and also available for download on eMusic.

[George]

(I'm already past my 20th Brahms cycle, I think. So even though these are a known obsession for me, there's no rush. )

Care to share your very favorites?

[Renfield]

Care to share your very favorites?

That is a hard question, if ever there was any.

A great part of why I collect Brahms symphony cycles so obsessively is that they all seem to have something different to say, and it's very hard to stick to just one, or two, or even five.

However, I'll give the issue some thought, maybe get a chance to listen to Gielen's as well, and get back to you on that.

[George]

Thanks. 

[BorisG]

Boxset, '85 Suitner. Cycle (three single CDs), '64 Karajan. DVD, '73 Karajan.

[rubio]

I was too curious so I had to acquire the French Sony version of the 1st and 2nd in addition to the UA release I already had. I compared the Fourth movement of the 2nd symphony, and to be honest I get slightly confused as to which version I prefer. The French Sony probably has a more natural sound, and e.g the woodwind has a more full, beautiful sound. The UA version is bit more on the bright side, and in fact it sounds more like a historic recording. I don't know why, but it sounds more rhythmic and exciting (maybe because it's more compressed?); like e.g. in the blazing end of the this movement. Have any of you compared these recordings as well?

 

[Renfield]

I was too curious so I had to acquire the French Sony version of the 1st and 2nd in addition to the UA release I already had. I compared the Fourth movement of the 2nd symphony, and to be honest I get slightly confused as to which version I prefer. The French Sony probably has a more natural sound, and e.g the woodwind has a more full, beautiful sound. The UA version is bit more on the bright side, and in fact it sounds more like a historic recording. I don't know why, but it sounds more rhythmic and exciting (maybe because it's more compressed?); like e.g. in the blazing end of the this movement. Have any of you compared these recordings as well?

 

Ah, that cycle. I recall at least one conversation when I had asked about the same thing previously, where Que eventually provided a wonderful link to a thorough comparison of the two remasterings (IIRC).

Now that I have had both for a while, and obviously very subjectively, I seem to deviate towards the UA remastering, in my listening.

Both have their merits, as you said, but I'm starting to suspect the French remastering's extra "breadth" of sound is what makes it sound slightly fuzzier to my ears, while the UA remastering comes off as harsh but more precise, to me.

So all in all, I second the idea of the French Sony remastering being warmer and wider, but the UA being sprightlier, in a way.


(Though digging up that link would be best. I seem to recall the cross-comparison being very thorough!)

[Joe Barron]

Like renfeld, I've gone through a number of Brahms sets --- more, perhaps, than with any other composer --- looking for perfection. Well, I now have the French Sony set, and I can stop looking. Walter's performances with the NYPO are, movement by movement, the strongest I have heard, and I cannot imagine a more dynamix and engrossing reading the the Fourth. The mono sound is a little thin through earphones, but over speakers, there is no reason to complain.

[rubio]

Ah, that cycle. I recall at least one conversation when I had asked about the same thing previously, where Que eventually provided a wonderful link to a thorough comparison of the two remasterings (IIRC).

Now that I have had both for a while, and obviously very subjectively, I seem to deviate towards the UA remastering, in my listening.

Both have their merits, as you said, but I'm starting to suspect the French remastering's extra "breadth" of sound is what makes it sound slightly fuzzier to my ears, while the UA remastering comes off as harsh but more precise, to me.

So all in all, I second the idea of the French Sony remastering being warmer and wider, but the UA being sprightlier, in a way.


(Though digging up that link would be best. I seem to recall the cross-comparison being very thorough!)

I also lean towards the UA transfer as it seems sprightlier/more rhythmic and precise. I get a real kick out of the ending of this Walter NYPO 2nd symphony like in no other performance. The French Sony issue kicks slightly less, but it has other merits.

[FredT]

There's a box set somewhere with Celibidache conducting Italian Radio orchestras. Celi makes those 3rd rate ensembles sound almost first rate. Only Furtwangler could do the same...

[Renfield]

There's a box set somewhere with Celibidache conducting Italian Radio orchestras. Celi makes those 3rd rate ensembles sound almost first rate. Only Furtwangler could do the same...

Add Karajan to that list. In fact, most great conductors: I'd say it's part of the all-round achievement that characterises a conductor we later call "great".

[rubio]

It could maybe not be called a cycle, but it comes pretty close (contains only the 3rd movement of the 1st symphony). Any opinions on Mengelberg's way with Brahms?

 

The Brahms VC with Herman Krebbers also seem very interesting.

[Renfield]

It could maybe not be called a cycle, but it comes pretty close (contains only the 3rd movement of the 1st symphony). Any opinions on Mengelberg's way with Brahms?

 

The Brahms VC with Herman Krebbers also seem very interesting.

Alas, I only have one of those discs: the one with the 3rd symphony.

And I say "alas" because, out of lack of a better way to put it, Mengelberg's Brahms was quite something. Not to everyone's taste, as I seem to recall briefly commenting with Que, but the man had an opinion, and a tremendous orchestra to back it up with!

Idiomatic, then, sometimes downright odd Brahms. But I do recommend at least the disc I own, if nothing else for the simply stupendous Academic Festival Overture, which I still consider the best recording of the piece I own!

[rubio]

Alas, I only have one of those discs: the one with the 3rd symphony.

And I say "alas" because, out of lack of a better way to put it, Mengelberg's Brahms was quite something. Not to everyone's taste, as I seem to recall briefly commenting with Que, but the man had an opinion, and a tremendous orchestra to back it up with!

Idiomatic, then, sometimes downright odd Brahms. But I do recommend at least the disc I own, if nothing else for the simply stupendous Academic Festival Overture, which I still consider the best recording of the piece I own!

Thanks for the comment, Renfield! These Naxos CD's are quite cheap, so I will pick them up if I have them in front of me. 

[Philoctetes]

Kubelik
Barenboim (Erato)
Walter
Szell

[calvin]

i would say solti sym1 with CSO is good.....especially 4th movement........

[Renfield]

Walter

Which one, pray tell?

[Philoctetes]

Which one, pray tell?

With the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

[Renfield]

With the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

Have you tried the NYPO cycle?

[Philoctetes]

Have you tried the NYPO cycle?

I actually think I might have that one around as well.