Preferred version of Brahms Symphony #1

[Belle]

Actually, the first to level such an accusation at Brahms was Nietzsche, who called his music "the melancholy of impotence". Nonsense, of course, like so many of Nietzsche's pronouncements.

Well, you've nailed it!!  I knew it wasn't an original comment by Ellroy, who was stupid to have brought it up (as it were).

[Belle]

Oh, I do like lots of his works. It's just S1 that I find boring and pretentious and I've never found a version which changed my mind.

Fair enough!!  I'm not fond of the Serenades which, I feel, are anything but romantic and soothing!!

[Belle]

Here's something extraordinary

I've just listened to the 1951 version from Furtwangler and it's STUNNING.  I couldn't help hearing those timpani 'heartbeats' at the start as a paean to grief and despair in post-war Germany and Austria!!  Furtwangler was one heck of a conductor.  The last movement of the 1951 recording is WHITE HOT.  I agree with you that the 1945 version is also extraordinary.  That's what I've been driving towards with this thread.

Years ago I ran a music appreciation group for the retirement community in our city.  A fellow there - a retired professor of mechanical engineering - was a hi-fi and music enthusiast (he's now deceased).  I remember playing some historic recordings during my sessions and he turned up his nose, not being partial to the lack of stunning sound quality - as though that had anything at all to do with the performances themselves.  We had to agree to disagree, otherwise he was a darling man.

[DrakeBala513]

Mainstream is a cult.

[Belle]

I found Dave Hurwitz talking about versions of Brahms #1.

[DrakeBala513]

I found Dave Hurwitz talking about versions of Brahms #1.

Thnx for sharing!

[DrakeBala513]

I've just listened to the 1951 version from Furtwangler and it's STUNNING.  I couldn't help hearing those timpani 'heartbeats' at the start as a paean to grief and despair in post-war Germany and Austria!!  Furtwangler was one heck of a conductor.  The last movement of the 1951 recording is WHITE HOT.  I agree with you that the 1945 version is also extraordinary.  That's what I've been driving towards with this thread.

Years ago I ran a music appreciation group for the retirement community in our city.  A fellow there - a retired professor of mechanical engineering - was a hi-fi and music enthusiast (he's now deceased).  I remember playing some historic recordings during my sessions and he turned up his nose, not being partial to the lack of stunning sound quality - as though that had anything at all to do with the performances themselves.  We had to agree to disagree, otherwise he was a darling man.

I'm listening now, quite spirited.

[Daverz]

I found Dave Hurwitz talking about versions of Brahms #1.

Here's Gil Zilkha on Brahms 1:

[JBS]

I've just listened to the 1951 version from Furtwangler and it's STUNNING.  I couldn't help hearing those timpani 'heartbeats' at the start as a paean to grief and despair in post-war Germany and Austria!!  Furtwangler was one heck of a conductor.  The last movement of the 1951 recording is WHITE HOT.  I agree with you that the 1945 version is also extraordinary.  That's what I've been driving towards with this thread.

Years ago I ran a music appreciation group for the retirement community in our city.  A fellow there - a retired professor of mechanical engineering - was a hi-fi and music enthusiast (he's now deceased).  I remember playing some historic recordings during my sessions and he turned up his nose, not being partial to the lack of stunning sound quality - as though that had anything at all to do with the performances themselves.  We had to agree to disagree, otherwise he was a darling man.

I tend to agree with him. The sound simply makes it harder for the music to come across, however well it's performed.

[DrakeBala513]

I have the Harnoncourt on now, quite lush.

[DrakeBala513]

Now, Karajan.  More of a pulse!