Revisiting Brahms and his symphonies

[amw]

- Eugen Jochum on EMI/now Warner - is good. I also tried the DG recordings, but didn't finish, because I didn't like the recorded sound. But Jochum with Gilels on DG doing Brahms' piano concertos is terrific.

As far as the 1st symphony goes it is worth noting that Jochum takes the introduction to the first movement very slowly (it takes 3:17 to get to the start of the allegro), which for some people will definitely fall into the "plodding" category. I personally like it and think it suits the music well, and he's otherwise fairly moderate in tempi.

[Ras]

As far as the 1st symphony goes it is worth noting that Jochum takes the introduction to the first movement very slowly (it takes 3:17 to get to the start of the allegro), which for some people will definitely fall into the "plodding" category. I personally like it and think it suits the music well, and he's otherwise fairly moderate in tempi.

Thank you for pointing this out amw.

- To the OP: Sorry, my suggestions were just a list of personal favorites, so they may not be what you are looking for.

[Cato]

I mentioned Koussevitzky earlier in the Brahms Fourth: I heard a performance issued in the 1950's, but it is possible that it was this one from 1947:

https://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Symphonies-Live-4-11-1947-Koussevitzky/dp/B00I3QQFAM/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1547387903&sr=1-3&keywords=Brahms+Symphony+4+Koussevitzky

There is a collection with all 4 symphonies: 1940's sound.

[asin]B00006I49E[/asin]

[mc ukrneal]

Bit of an update - I went with the Dausgaard. In the end I was deciding between the Gardiner and the Dausgaard. The both sounded great in bits I heard, so I ultimately decided because I really love the liebeslieder and I don't have them orchestrated. So there you go.

I am just finishing up my first run through the symphony, and it's just what I was looking for. It's light, relatively quick tempi crisp playng, and a really wonderful sound despite perhaps being a little smaller than many other groups. One thing that has stood out for me, besides the clarity, is the way that Dausgaard manages the transitions. They are handled extremely well, which in turns makes it all the more tight and crisp.

Would this be a first choice? It could be. It would certainly be a very complementary choice for most other versions. I will be keeping a look out for the Gardiner on the cheap too. But I look forward to listening to the Dausgaard more closely in the future.

[Herman]

It would be great if Haitink's Brahms with the Chamber Orch of EU (there's a bunch of these on youtube; they were recorded by the BBC) were mastered for cd, to supplant the not very succesful Brahms cycle with LSO.

[betterthanfine]

I'd say Haitink's cycle with the Concertgebouw is pretty decent though!

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

I'm also attracted to light, "chamber music" Brahms. Mackarras didn't do it for me, dausgaard seems too pricey and maybe too aggressive. I'm attracted to Venzago Tapiola Sinfonietta.

[Que]

I'd say Haitink's cycle with the Concertgebouw is pretty decent though!

To say the least... 

Q

[ShineyMcShineShine]

What about Abbado with the Berlin Phil? Somewhere I got the impression that it's well regarded.

[asin]B00JJ9DZ0U[/asin]

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

What about Abbado with the Berlin Phil? Somewhere I got the impression that it's well regarded.

[asin]B00JJ9DZ0U[/asin]

Not by me.

[NikF4]

Not by me.

Do you have a favourite or favourites? Do tell. I like the Abbado a lot.

e: I'm not one for lists, but the Abbado cycle is near the top of one list I might have, while Bernstein/NYP peaks another. Then there's Wand, but I'm always left feeling that I should like it even more than I do.

[mc ukrneal]

What about Abbado with the Berlin Phil? Somewhere I got the impression that it's well regarded.

[asin]B00JJ9DZ0U[/asin]

I've not heard it, but it is well regarded. Just keep in mind he is....somewhat divisive on these boards.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Not by me.

Agreed, good middle of the the road approach but hardly distinctive in any way, also very colorless, entire cycle sounds like one long rehearsal. Nowhere as good as Haitink/Concertgebouw mentioned earlier.

[ShineyMcShineShine]

Just keep in mind he is....somewhat divisive on these boards.

Is there anything that isn't? 

[NikF4]

Agreed, good middle of the the road approach but hardly distinctive in any way, also very colorless, entire cycle sounds like one long rehearsal. Nowhere as good as Haitink/Concertgebouw mentioned earlier.

Ah, the old 'tastes of chicken'  - which nonetheless is cool for guys like me who have only basic skills in reading notation and so benefit from such an interpretation. 

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Do you have a favourite or favourites? Do tell. I like the Abbado a lot.

e: I'm not one for lists, but the Abbado cycle is near the top of one list I might have, while Bernstein/NYP peaks another. Then there's Wand, but I'm always left feeling that I should like it even more than I do.

My personal list of favorites:

Kertesz/Wiener Philharmoniker
Janowski/Pittsburgh
Barbirolli/Wiener Philharmoniker
Bohm/Wiener Philharmoniker
Giulini/Philharmonia
Ansermet/Suisse Romande
Maazel/Cleveland
Karajan/Berlin 1 ('63) 2 ('86) 3 ('78) 4 ('63)

One thing that strikes me is the large number of Brahms symphony cycles that I plan to listen to but haven't, notably Szell, Harnoncourt, Dohnanyi, Manze, Berglund (COE), Gielen, Haitink (Concertgebouw)

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

That one is new to me.  I've recommended the Gardiner and Manze recordings, but Venzago is a set I've never heard, nor heard of.  Listening now.

Curious what you think. Another Brahms cycle with "chamber music textures" is Berglund/COE (which I have acquired but not listened to).

[NikF4]

My personal list of favorites:

Kertesz/Wiener Philharmoniker
Janowski/Pittsburgh
Barbirolli/Wiener Philharmoniker
Bohm/Wiener Philharmoniker
Giulini/Philharmonia
Ansermet/Suisse Romande
Maazel/Cleveland
Karajan/Berlin 1 ('63) 2 ('86) 3 ('78) 4 ('63)

One thing that strikes me is the large number of Brahms symphony cycles that I plan to listen to but haven't, notably Szell, Harnoncourt, Dohnanyi, Manze, Berglund (COE), Gielen, Haitink (Concertgebouw)

Thanks, mate. It all adds to expanding my frame of reference.

Of that list the Barbirolli/Wiener Philharmoniker stands out as one I have and enjoy. The thing is, I don't have the vocabulary to employ in pursuit of  describing why I like stuff. But the Barbirolli sounds almost exotic to me in comparison to the other (one dozen or so) cycles I own. While it's not as if he's taking liberties it seems he's less bridled or curbed by what was contemporary or went before.

Szell - I have that and find it detailed and hugely disciplined. A real bizarro way to put it is that if Szell was a boxer he would be one who telegraphs his punches, yet that doesn't really diminish the impact. It's coming, you see it, but it still makes a mark. 

Don't mean to add to yer woes, but one that's maybe worthwhile is the Eschenbach with the Houston Symphony. It's like some kind of romantic interpretation that frequently casts a respectful wink to a classical past. Clumsy description, but there ye go.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Thanks, mate. It all adds to expanding my frame of reference.

Of that list the Barbirolli/Wiener Philharmoniker stands out as one I have and enjoy. The thing is, I don't have the vocabulary to employ in pursuit of  describing why I like stuff. But the Barbirolli sounds almost exotic to me in comparison to the other (one dozen or so) cycles I own. While it's not as if he's taking liberties it seems he's less bridled or curbed by what was contemporary or went before.

Szell - I have that and find it detailed and hugely disciplined. A real bizarro way to put it is that if Szell was a boxer he would be one who telegraphs his punches, yet that doesn't really diminish the impact. It's coming, you see it, but it still makes a mark. 

Don't mean to add to yer woes, but one that's maybe worthwhile is the Eschenbach with the Houston Symphony. It's like some kind of romantic interpretation that frequently casts a respectful wink to a classical past. Clumsy description, but there ye go.

I think your description of Szell is quite apt.

Barbirolli, hard to describe. I think our former participant Luke once remarked on Brahms, "every line sings," and that is what Barbirolli brings out. He also has a way of slowing things down to make room for expressive detail in the performances. Ansermet is another who has a slightly idiosyncratic approach to Brahms, with a light texture and a pleasant emphasis on woodwind sonorities. Maazel surprised me with the expressiveness of the slow movements.

And, come to think of it, I also have Norrington on my list of Brahms symphony cycles to listen to...

[NikF4]

I think your description of Szell is quite apt.

Barbirolli, hard to describe. I think our former participant Luke once remarked on Brahms, "every line sings," and that is what Barbirolli brings out. He also has a way of slowing things down to make room for expressive detail in the performances. Ansermet is another who has a slightly idiosyncratic approach to Brahms, with a light texture and a pleasant emphasis on woodwind sonorities. Maazel surprised me with the expressiveness of the slow movements.

And, come to think of it, I also have Norrington on my list of Brahms symphony cycles to listen to...

You make the Ansermet sound intriguing and so I've just ordered it. The Maazel sounds worthy of investment in time too, but priorities mean it should wait.