Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

[LKB]

Happy Birthday, Johannes... 190 years young today.

Google has its doodle appropriately configured. 

[DavidW]

I was going to put that Bach on repeat... but I suppose it will be Brahms this afternoon instead!

[vers la flamme]

Happy Birthday, Johannes... 190 years young today.

Google has its doodle appropriately configured. 

Wow, that was a cool Google doodle. Happy birthday to the legend.

[Maestro267]

For the longest time, the Third Symphony has always been the Cinderella of the cycle to me. But listening a few times in the last few months it is an excellent work I've really grown to appreciate.

[vers la flamme]

For the longest time, the Third Symphony has always been the Cinderella of the cycle to me. But listening a few times in the last few months it is an excellent work I've really grown to appreciate.

You and me both. Was there any particular performance that turned it around for you?

[Maestro267]

Not sure if it's down to the performance or just that I actually listened to the work instead of my mind wandering. That said, the recording I own is Karajan.

[LKB]

Not sure if it's down to the performance or just that I actually listened to the work instead of my mind wandering. That said, the recording I own is Karajan.

Same for me, specifically the DG SACD version of von Karajan's 1964 recording. The LP was my " imprint " of the Third some fifty years ago, and is still my favorite along with Walter's.

[j winter]

Same for me, specifically the DG SACD version of von Karajan's 1964 recording. The LP was my " imprint " of the Third some fifty years ago, and is still my favorite along with Walter's

Agreed -- I also enjoy Karajan's 60's set, but honestly if I had to take a single Brahms disc to the proverbial desert island, it might be Bruno Walter's 2 & 3.  Absolutely wonderful performances, they have such a natural flow to them...

[Mapman]

I'm sure many people have seen it already, but Richard Atkinson posted his analysis of the finale of Brahms 4!

[vers la flamme]

I'm sure many people have seen it already, but Richard Atkinson posted his analysis of the finale of Brahms 4!

Oh yes, I watched this yesterday—the video put me onto an absolutely incredible madrigal by Monteverdi called Zefiro torna, which I've listened to about 12 times in the past 24 hours. Aside from that, it was an incredibly erudite and educational analysis, as always.

[Jo498]

Atkinson gets sometimes a bit carried away (showing pretty commonplace figure/gestures occuring somewhat similarly somewhere else as in the Mahler and DSCH examples) but it's very thorough and interesting. I was not really aware of the probable influence from Beethoven's c minor var. WoO 80, a piece Beethoven himself apparently didn't care much for but I always found fascinating.

[vers la flamme]

Atkinson gets sometimes a bit carried away (showing pretty commonplace figure/gestures occuring somewhat similarly somewhere else as in the Mahler and DSCH examples) but it's very thorough and interesting. I was not really aware of the probable influence from Beethoven's c minor var. WoO 80, a piece Beethoven himself apparently didn't care much for but I always found fascinating.

The vast amount of examples from completely unrelated works that Atkinson has been including in his analyses these past couple years is definitely not necessary, but I always enjoy it.

[Jo498]

I am usually not bothered by the unrelated works (although I am generally skeptical of many supposed allusions) and potentially related works like the Haydn-Variations or baroque stuff etc. are welcome to be included, but in a video of 1.5 hours, I'd have appreciated a bit more focus on the main work.

[Maestro267]

What do people make of the Double Concerto, Op. 102? I haven't ever really had the desire to listen to it for years, if not ever. I have it c/w the Beethoven Triple Concerto and I'll usually choose that instead. I wonder if it will click with me now I'm a bit more familiar with Brahms' other works.

I'm currently listening to and gaining a new appreciation for the Violin Concerto Op. 77.

[Spotted Horses]

What do people make of the Double Concerto, Op. 102? I haven't ever really had the desire to listen to it for years, if not ever. I have it c/w the Beethoven Triple Concerto and I'll usually choose that instead. I wonder if it will click with me now I'm a bit more familiar with Brahms' other works.

I'm currently listening to and gaining a new appreciation for the Violin Concerto Op. 77.

I consider the double concerto one of Brahms' great masterpieces, with a bit of a neoclassical vibe. The Starker/Seryng/Haitink recording opened my ears to it. But then again, I think of Brahms as the finest composer to have lived.

[Brian]

It is my favorite of the four Brahms concertos, actually, just because the others are so large and grand and overstuffed with ideas. I do know that's an unpopular opinion. Spotted Horses is right about the neoclassical feel and simpler structure - he was inspired by Viotti (of all people).

I've never really heard a "bad" recording, as it tends to be tackled by superstar trios of players/conductor, but my favorite is the timeless, fierce Bruno Walter reading with Zino Francescatti and Pierre Fournier. Coupled with a Tragic Overture that Walter makes sound like it comes from the same stern, heart-on-sleeve (rather than stoic) mood.

[Florestan]

It is my favorite of the four Brahms concertos, actually, just because the others are so large and grand and overstuffed with ideas. I do know that's an unpopular opinion. Spotted Horses is right about the neoclassical feel and simpler structure - he was inspired by Viotti (of all people).

I'm with you all the way. 

[Jo498]

The problem is that the Double is often played in the slowest, almost lugubrious manner. One exception are both with Heifetz, the older one with Feuermann has an almost perfect match of soloists in timbres and temperaments (Feuermann revered Heifetz but can hold his own) but the sound is from 1939 or so (Naxos might have the best transfer). The other one with Piatigorsky is stereo and still very good (as is the coupled Mozart Sinfonia concertante).

For strange reasons one of my first self bought classical MCs (although I knew a few dozen classical pieces from LPs of my Dad's) had the Double/Triple with Starker/Schneiderhan (Anda, Fricsay).

[DavidW]

my favorite is the timeless, fierce Bruno Walter reading with Zino Francescatti and Pierre Fournier. Coupled with a Tragic Overture that Walter makes sound like it comes from the same stern, heart-on-sleeve (rather than stoic) mood.

That was my introduction to the work!

[DavidW]

What do people make of the Double Concerto, Op. 102?

I love it, but unlike everyone else I still rank the piano concertos and the violin concerto above it.