Brahms Recommendations

[vodka]

I think Symphony No.4 under George Szell with Cleveland Orchestra is very good. Also, Concerto No.2 with Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner, and with Emil Gilels is outstanding, IMO.

[Peter Friedman]

Walter on Symphony No.4

Marin Alsop on Symphony No.1

Hahn, or Szeryng or Stern on the Violin Concerto

Stern & Rose or Heifetz & Piatgorsky on Violin & Cello Concerto

Gilels/ Jochum on Piano Concertos

Rubinstein/ Reiner on Piano Concerto No.1

Rubinstein or Beaux Arts or Domus on Piano Quartets

Rubinstein/Szeryng/Fournier or Istomin/Stern/Rose on Piano Trios

Tokyo, or Prazak or Takacs on String Quartets

Boston Symphony Chamber Players or Prazak on String Quintets

Raphael Ensemble on String Sextets

Csaba/Heisser on Violin Sonatas

Klansky/Prazak on Piano Quintet

[Chuck Nessa]

i'll admit not having heard Walter Klein's JB-- you like more than Julius Katchen, one of those 'standard recs' that are justified?-- either way we should prob seperate out--

Variations on a Theme by Handel

Op. 79 ballades

Op. 116-119 late pieces

which are, like, some of thee major tests of the entire whatsis (& not all the same test either).

yes?

edc

Never warmed to Katchen. He seemed a bit bland to me. Might have been a blind spot, but one I live with.

[Alexander Hawkins]

i'll admit not having heard Walter Klein's JB-- you like more than Julius Katchen, one of those 'standard recs' that are justified?-- either way we should prob seperate out--

Variations on a Theme by Handel

Op. 79 ballades

Op. 116-119 late pieces

which are, like, some of thee major tests of the entire whatsis (& not all the same test either).

yes?

edc

Clem - not wishing to be a pedant, but the op. 79 pieces are both Rhapsodies (b minor and g minor) - the Ballades are op. 10 iirc.

[Larry Kart]

i'll admit not having heard Walter Klein's JB-- you like more than Julius Katchen, one of those 'standard recs' that are justified?-- either way we should prob seperate out--

Variations on a Theme by Handel

Op. 79 ballades

Op. 116-119 late pieces

which are, like, some of thee major tests of the entire whatsis (& not all the same test either).

yes?

edc

I like Katchen with Suk in the Brahms violin sonatas -- not saying that they're the best (I'm not in a possition to do that), just that I like them -- but a recent purchase of three 2-CD sets worth of Katchen material from Berkshire, including both Brahms concerti and all the Beethovens, proved to be very ill-advised IMO. Katchen's got good fingers but strikes me as being at once brash/superficial and, as Chuck said, bland, if that combo is possible. Also, at odd times he rushes -- i.e. gets faster in agitated passages -- which is very unsettling. Have never heard his solo Brahms but don't feel that I want to now.

Edited April 7, 2007 by Larry Kart

[Chalupa]

I couldn't recommend a particular recording, but the piano music is wonderful - esp. (IMHO) the Rhapsodies (op.79) and the Intermezzi (opp.117,118,119).

Yes, and I would add the Waltzes (Op.39). I've listened/played(badly) them so many times they are part of my DNA now. The Horn Trio and the Violin Sonatas are essential too.

[Late]

Would like to hear more thoughts on the symphonies. Klemperer and Alsop (whose early conducting career included working in this small city for a couple of years!) have been mentioned. Any thoughts on:

• Solti

• Böhm

• Karajan

• Bernstein (did it 3 X, I think)

• Abbado

• contemporary readings?

• others I'm missing

I'm still out of my league as far as symphonies are concerned, and when I read reviews on Brahms' symphonies, they often are along the lines of: "If you have the Klemp, look no further." I've never heard his versions, but would like too. Amazon has them at full price ($35) — anyone know where they could be found cheaper?

[poetrylover3]

Would like to hear more thoughts on the symphonies. Klemperer and Alsop (whose early conducting career included working in this small city for a couple of years!) have been mentioned. Any thoughts on:

• Solti

• Böhm

• Karajan

• Bernstein (did it 3 X, I think)

• Abbado

• contemporary readings?

• others I'm missing

I'm still out of my league as far as symphonies are concerned, and when I read reviews on Brahms' symphonies, they often are along the lines of: "If you have the Klemp, look no further." I've never heard his versions, but would like too. Amazon has them at full price ($35) — anyone know where they could be found cheaper?

My favorite Brahms Symphony Editions are Furtwangler and Kurt Sanderling w/ Staatskapelle Dresden. Both sets are relatively inexpensive and masterful interpretations,IMO.

Edited March 17, 2008 by Blue Trane

[Tom 1960]

Got a good feeling that this set is no longer available? But I purchased from Berkshire Record Outlet at least 5 yrs. ago the George Szell/Cleveland Symphony Brahms cycle on SONY. I believe the 3 disc set set me back $15? Again, it may prove a difficult find. Well worth seeking out though.

[Spontooneous]

Stay away from that Solti set, please.

I'm really bothered by Karajan in the odd-numbered symphonies, but the even-numbered symphonies go pretty well with him.

The Abbado set struck me as not too much better than OK, except for a great non-consensus reading of the Second(!).

Old faves are Horenstein in 1; Monteux in 2; Klemperer in 3; Reiner in 4.

[Chuck Nessa]

Stay away from that Solti set, please.

I'm really bothered by Karajan in the odd-numbered symphonies, but the even-numbered symphonies go pretty well with him.

The Abbado set struck me as not too much better than OK, except for a great non-consensus reading of the Second(!).

Old faves are Horenstein in 1; Monteux in 2; Klemperer in 3; Reiner in 4.

Pretty fine "cycle" listed. One "fine tune", if you can take the sound and playing, I prefer the Vox Horenstein of 1 to the later version with the LSO (in great sound). If you venture that far, check out his Vox take on 3 and then move on to the Unicorn 2nd (he takes the repeat and the band seems exhausted at the end). This is really music making for me.

[Late]

Stay away from that Solti set, please.

Any particular reason? I ask because, while I haven't heard it, I've read some good things about that recording.

I only have Bernstein doing Brahms' symphonies. I like them, but have nothing to compare them to.

[mikeweil]

This new recording of the Serenades on CPO uses period instruments, original instrumentation (but not the chamber versions) and orchestral placement. The tempos are a little livelier than usual, which enhances the dance character od several movements - Brahms sounds great when played with definite rhythmic impetus. Highly recommended.

Other excellent recordings using the old German orchestral placement are those of Sir Charles MacKerras on Telarc, which I can also recommend.

[mikeweil]

Shouldn't this thread be moved to the Classical Forum?

Edited March 17, 2008 by mikeweil

[Late]

Shouldn't this thread be moved to the Classical Forum?

Probably — I think it might have been created before the classical forum was around.

Either way, keep the recs coming!

[Spontooneous]

Stay away from that Solti set, please.

Any particular reason? I ask because, while I haven't heard it, I've read some good things about that recording.

I only have Bernstein doing Brahms' symphonies. I like them, but have nothing to compare them to.

Sluggish tempi. Weird balances. The Chicago brass at their most blaring.

When I want to hear slow Brahms, I pull out the Kurt Sanderling set instead. (It's gorgeous.)

If you want to give Decca some money for Brahms, get their Kertesz set instead. Beats drinking the Solti Kool-Aid.

[Free For All]

The Chicago brass at their most blaring.

And that's a bad thing because.....?

[Late]

Well, I ended up purchasing the Bruno Walter Brahms symphony cycle. At $17 for three discs, I couldn't resist. Now I'll be able to do some A/B-ing with the Bernstein.

I have a feeling it won't be the last Brahms cycle I purchase. Something about those particular symphonies is really under my skin these days.

Maybe I'll even try the Toscanini at some point ...

[Spontooneous]

With the Walter set you've got versions of 3 and 4 that are among the best. The First in Walter's stereo set isn't up to the rest, though.

Walter did a mono set in the '50s with the New York Philharmonic that's often even better than the stereo set. The LPs turn up at Goodwill now and then, and they're well worth watching for.

[Late]

Now I have Ansermet's Brahms symphony cycle on order. Australian Decca.

[David Ayers]

Has anyone heard the Celibidache Brahms cycle with an Italian Orchestra? Quite unacceptable from many points of view - but incredibly engaging...

[J.A.W.]

Has anyone heard the Celibidache Brahms cycle with an Italian Orchestra? Quite unacceptable from many points of view - but incredibly engaging...

Celibidache was an interesting conductor, but somehow his interpretations don't grab me; to my ears he doesn't seem to be able to keep up the tension as it were, I lose interest after a while.

[David Ayers]

Has anyone heard the Celibidache Brahms cycle with an Italian Orchestra? Quite unacceptable from many points of view - but incredibly engaging...

Celibidache was an interesting conductor, but somehow his interpretations don't grab me; to my ears he doesn't seem to be able to keep up the tension as it were, I lose interest after a while.

He's got his own way and I am not a fan - but these 1959 recordings with the RAI Orchestra are in a world of their own.

[Shrdlu]

The 1954 R.C.A. record of the 1st Piano Concerto, with Artie Rubinstein and Fritz Reiner with the Chicago Symphony, is one of the finest performances in any genre, ever. Absolutely stunning, especially when you consider how hard that piece is to play and make it sound good (according to my late wife, who was a classically trained violinist and pianist).

This was recorded in stereo too, which is very unusual for such an early year. It was originally only issued in mono, naturellement, and then Artie re-recorded the piece in about 1963 and that version was released in stereo and eclipsed the 1954 version. The stereo LP of the 1954 finally came out in the 70s. There is also a CD (by RVG, I think, hehe).

Highly recommended for an evening with a date who also likes the music, sitting on the sofa with a log fire.

Edited March 25, 2010 by Shrdlu