Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

[oabmarcus]

Brahms' music is very boring IMHO. I have never felt any deeper connection to it. I can listen to 2 Bruckner symphonies in one sitting but I could never listen a single Brahms symphony in it's entirety. I always fell asleep before the finale.

yes, i've had similar feelings in the past. But, after listening to a couple of great cycles (Sanderling+Giulini+Levine) + time for maturing. I am absolutely in love with is symphonies!

[karlhenning]

Love Brahms, and even more having recently re-played the two Opus 120 clarinet sonatas.

[Brahmsian]

Love Brahms, and even more having recently re-played the two Opus 120 clarinet sonatas.

Those are among my absolute favorite Brahms' works.  Both the original clarinet version and the version for viola.

Karl, can you say _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

Insert text! 

[greg]

Those are among my absolute favorite Brahms' works.  Both the original clarinet version and the version for viola.

Karl, can you say _ _ _ - _ _ _ _!

Insert text! 

"Les-tard?"
How dare you! 

[karlhenning]

(I'm puzzled.)

[greg]

(I'm puzzled.)

Actually, my guess at the fill in the blanks was "hell-yeah," but...

"lestard" is just a word I made up that would describe a retarded lesbian (and there are other words related to that). 

[kishnevi]

Those are among my absolute favorite Brahms' works.  Both the original clarinet version and the version for viola.

Karl, can you say _ _ _ - _ _ _ _!

Insert text! 

Any particular recording you would recommend?  The one I have is Manasse/Nakamatsu on HM, but I'm always open to suggestions, particularly the viola version, of which I hadn't heard before.

[George]

Those are among my absolute favorite Brahms' works.  Both the original clarinet version and the version for viola.

Karl, can you say _ _ _ - _ _ _ _!

Insert text! 

Hell - yeah?

[Opus106]

(I'm puzzled.)

I'm guessing très cool, even though the first word is missing one letter.

Actually, my guess at the fill in the blanks was "hell-yeah," but...

"lestard" is just a word I made up that would describe a retarded lesbian (and there are other words related to that). 

I assumed it was a real (French) word/phrase -- and guess what! -- my translator says that it means "The Owl" (Les-tard) in French.

[Brahmsian]

OK, I removed the dash, as it is only one word.    Sorry for the confusion.   

So, it should be:

Karl, can you say _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

[greg]

I assumed it was a real (French) word/phrase -- and guess what! -- my translator says that it means "The Owl" (Les-tard) in French.

Ha 

[Guido]

Is there a finer composer for the alto voice than Brahms? The youthful alto rhapsody and then the late op.91 songs with viola (a wonderful, wonderful touch - the viola used just as sensitively as the voice, lying in much the same range of course - the timbral parallels he draws are so simple yet breathtaking) - somehow he captures the soul and beauty of this voice type better than any other - a perfect match with his artistic temperament perhaps.

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

OK people, I admit I avoided listening to Brahms, because that bloke insulted my dear good old shy Bruckner so much - BUT: avoiding Brahms was a mistake. Listened to Symphony No. 4 yesterday (Levine) for about 24 hours and I must say it rocks.

[mc ukrneal]

OK people, I admit I avoided listening to Brahms, because that bloke insulted my dear good old shy Bruckner so much - BUT: avoiding Brahms was a mistake. Listened to Symphony No. 4 yesterday (Levine) for about 24 hours and I must say it rocks.

He does rock! As time goes on, I've actually grown to love all facets of his music. He was strong across the board with wonderful songs, solo music, chamber, etc.  There is just so much to explore. If you like lieder, there has been some interesting discussion on the Brahms lieder thread in the opera and vocal section of the forum.

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

Well, I like some Lieder. But first I have to go through the Mahler ones.

[George]

OK people, I admit I avoided listening to Brahms, because that bloke insulted my dear good old shy Bruckner so much - BUT: avoiding Brahms was a mistake. Listened to Symphony No. 4 yesterday (Levine) for about 24 hours and I must say it rocks.

Are you sure it wasn't Celibidache conducting?

[Florestan]

Are you sure it wasn't Celibidache conducting?

Hey, 24-hour would have been the edited version (no repeats). 

[George]

Hey, 24-hour would have been the edited version (no repeats). 

[snyprrr]

Actually, my guess at the fill in the blanks was "hell-yeah," but...

"lestard" is just a word I made up that would describe a retarded lesbian (and there are other words related to that). 

A "lestard" is someone who is retarded FOR lesbians, not a retarded lesbian.

As in, "you're such a GMG-tard".

Pettersson is a "mope-tard", and so forth.

[SonicMan46]

Well, this Brahms thread seems to have come to life again for the moment - 

I know that many of you have multiple Symphony cycles, and despite liking these works, I've not addressed my meager collection of just two (Klemperer & Mackerras; plus a number that have been culled out in the past) - Klemperer I like; Mackerras in these performances less so?

Now I'm sure that plenty of suggestions will be made - not only complete sets but recommendations for individual performances, but maybe an 'update' would help those w/ less listening exposure to these works make some wiser decisions - e.g. the one pictured below peeked my interest while reviewing the selections on Amazon?

So, please join in - what are your current favs in these works and are there new releases that should be considered?  Thanks all -