Brahms Symphony Cycles

[North Star]

I have Harding's 3rd & 4th (and his violin concerto with Isabelle Faust) and like them quite a bit. Note that I do not care for the over-stuffed, densely padded, thick-textured Big Band Brahms that predates the HIPsters.

That VC recording slipped my mind when posting. Both discs are definitely on the top of the list of next Brahms discs to get. I too am not a fan of excessive thickness, but e.g. Rattle & BPO is fine in my opinion. (although it's been a while since the last time I listened to that)

[betterthanfine]

There are also Daniel Harding's recordings, if I recall correctly, they're with a small modern orchestra.

Well, first surprised that I'm not subscribed to this thread! 

Currently, I have 3 sets (several more culled out in the past), including the Klemperer - my two more recent additions are below, i.e. Mackerras & Dohnanyi; as you state, the Mackerras will in part satisfy your criteria of a smaller orchestra w/ good sonics - the instruments are 'mixed' w/ period brass ones - several short reviews reprinted HERE; a number of 3* ratings on Amazon which appear to simply be a preference for a LARGE band, IMO.

Dohnanyi is w/ the Cleveland Orch from the late 1980s-90; super bargain on the Amazon MP for 4 discs (includes a couple overtures & the Violin Concerto).  I could add another set and will be quite interested in other posts - good luck in your selection(s)!

Thanks both of you for the suggestions! I think Mackerras is my man, but the price is a bit steep at the moment. I'll just hang on until I come across a good deal.

[Old Listener]

I think Mackerras is my man, but the price is a bit steep at the moment. I'll just hang on until I come across a good deal.

Telarcs are often available cheap at Berkshire Record Outlet.

Bill

[NJ Joe]

Hi,

I currently own complete sets of:

Karajan/60's
Bernstein/NY
Walter/ColSO
Abbado/BPO

ArkivMusic has the Klemperer set on sale this weekend for $9.99USD.  The price is certainly right...any thoughts on this set?

[Octave]

ArkivMusic has the Klemperer set on sale this weekend for $9.99USD.  The price is certainly right...any thoughts on this set?

I love Klemperer's Brahms, but there is that brand new 4cd set, which would only cost you ~$2.40 more than the old 3cd from Arkiv, but also includes Klemperer's REQUIEM, which is probably one to have if you dig Brahms.  I think that's the better deal, if not by much.  My only personal reference for your own Brahms collection is the Karajan, if that makes any difference; I don't yet know the others you mention....

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[Que]

I love Klemperer's Brahms, but there is that brand new 4cd set of Klemperer's Brahms, which would only cost you ~$2.40 more than the old 3cd from Arkiv, but also includes Klemperer's REQUIEM, which is probably one to have if you dig Brahms.  I think that's the better deal, if not by much.  My only personal reference for your own Brahms collection is the Karajan, if that makes any difference; I don't yet know the others you mention....

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Klemperer's Brahms is mandatory IMO, I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned more!

Q

[Mandryka]

There's a complete set of Brahms symphonies from Hans Rosbaud live in Baden Baden on symphonyshare. The sound is poor, the performances are astonishing. The 4 is now one of my top recommendations for this symphony.

[NJ Joe]

Thank you Octave, Que, and Mandryka.  As I wasn't actively in the market for another Brahms set, I've decided to pass for now.  I am very happy with the sets I own.

edit:  what is symphonyshare?

[Karl Henning]

It's not strictly The Topic . . . but there is a lovely e minor symphony in this box:

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[Daverz]

It's not strictly The Topic . . . but there is a lovely e minor symphony in this box:

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There was also a GROC with the symphony.

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[Leo K.]

There's a complete set of Brahms symphonies from Hans Rosbaud live in Baden Baden on symphonyshare. The sound is poor, the performances are astonishing. The 4 is now one of my top recommendations for this symphony.

Wow, thanks for the heads up! I'm listening to Rosbaud's Brahms 3 now, absolutely incredible, uplifting, and immediately one of my most treasured Brahms' 3rds.

[Leo K.]

Wow, thanks for the heads up! I'm listening to Rosbaud's Brahms 3 now, absolutely incredible, uplifting, and immediately one of my most treasured Brahms' 3rds.

I can't get enough of Rosbaud's Brahms broadcasts. I am amazed.

[Mandryka]

I can't get enough of Rosbaud's Brahms broadcasts. I am amazed.

Glad you like them. It was the Brahms 4 which impressed me most.

Try his eroica. It's interesting..  As is his Schubert 9.

[George]

Ok, so these (below) are the Brahms sets I have already, can you guys tell me if Sanderling/Dresden and/or Klemperer/Philharmonia is/are significantly enough different than these to warrant a purchase?

Karajan - 60s DG
Wand - RCA
Walter - SONY
Jochum - EMI
Furtwangler - Music and Arts
Barbirolli - EMI

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Ok, so these (below) are the Brahms sets I have already, can you guys tell me if Sanderling/Dresden and/or Klemperer/Philharmonia is/are significantly enough different than these to warrant a purchase?

Karajan - 60s DG
Wand - RCA
Walter - SONY
Jochum - EMI
Furtwangler - Music and Arts
Barbirolli - EMI

Hey, George. I used to have the Sanderling/Dresden cycle. And of those on your list I currently own Jochum's EMI (save the 4th) and I once owned a cobbled Furtwängler cycle.

How Sanderling's set fits in this company is hard to say. It definitely has a unique "sound" - big, lush, and expansive. I'm almost tempted to say "sprawling" as Sanderling isn't interested in conciseness. No doubt it's quality stuff but ultimately my taste in Brahms has gravitated towards a warm yet sharper type of interpretation and I ended up selling the Sanderling.

These days though I make my pitch for an unjustly neglected cycle from Jansons and the Oslo PO, which I also mention here.

[George]

Thanks Don!

[Geo Dude]

I have Harding's 3rd & 4th (and his violin concerto with Isabelle Faust) and like them quite a bit. Note that I do not care for the over-stuffed, densely padded, thick-textured Big Band Brahms that predates the HIPsters.

Good man!  Harding's stuff is great.  The 3rd is my favorite 3rd, actually.

[Leo K.]

I've been very impressed with Harnoncourt's Berlin cycle the last few weeks, I resisted it for a long time, but that was so wrong, it's an amazing cycle.

[DavidRoss]

I've been very impressed with Harnoncourt's Berlin cycle the last few weeks, I resisted it for a long time, but that was so wrong, it's an amazing cycle.

+1

[Parsifal]

After stumbling on samples of this disc I ordered it.  If it turns out as good as it seems, I'll probably spring for the other installments in the cycle.

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