albireo
pfm Member
The two piano concertos by Brahms have always had a special importance for me. The same is true for almost all of his chamber music output.
Until recently I had not, however, approached his Symphonies, for some reason. I have now discovered them and I am in awe. I am especially struck by his 4th Symphony, which hits me at a very deep, emotional level. Only Shostakovich string quartets (which I own in the Fitzwilliam Quartet cycle on Decca) had managed to do the same.
My esploration of these works is still at a very superficial level. I have gone on a buying spree and now own the following interpretations:
-Sanderling, Dresden
-Karajan, BPO, late 70s cycle
-Bruno Walter [3/4 Symphonies only] CSO
-Kleiber 4th
-Gardiner's 4th.
They are all fascinating interpretations, and I tend to prefer Walter (for the energy and precision) and Sanderling (for the beautiful ambience and the sweeping romanticism) so far, though Gardiner is also quite interesting (it sounds lean, and fast, which is fine in some movements of the 4th). For some reason, I cannot warm up to the Kleiber, which came highly recommended by a friend. The Karajan is last in my preferences at the moment.
I was curious to know what are your favourite interpretations of these works?
Also, I would particularly value your recommendations for other stereo recordings of the Symphonies, whether full cycles or single Symphonies. I specify stereo because, as much as I am tempted to explore old recordings by Furtwaengler, Toscanini, etc., I am currently forced to doing most of my listening on headphones and I cannot stand mono sound through headphones.
So yes, if you could forget anything before 1955 (or whenever was stereo introduced in orchestral recordings) what would your selection be?
Until recently I had not, however, approached his Symphonies, for some reason. I have now discovered them and I am in awe. I am especially struck by his 4th Symphony, which hits me at a very deep, emotional level. Only Shostakovich string quartets (which I own in the Fitzwilliam Quartet cycle on Decca) had managed to do the same.
My esploration of these works is still at a very superficial level. I have gone on a buying spree and now own the following interpretations:
-Sanderling, Dresden
-Karajan, BPO, late 70s cycle
-Bruno Walter [3/4 Symphonies only] CSO
-Kleiber 4th
-Gardiner's 4th.
They are all fascinating interpretations, and I tend to prefer Walter (for the energy and precision) and Sanderling (for the beautiful ambience and the sweeping romanticism) so far, though Gardiner is also quite interesting (it sounds lean, and fast, which is fine in some movements of the 4th). For some reason, I cannot warm up to the Kleiber, which came highly recommended by a friend. The Karajan is last in my preferences at the moment.
I was curious to know what are your favourite interpretations of these works?
Also, I would particularly value your recommendations for other stereo recordings of the Symphonies, whether full cycles or single Symphonies. I specify stereo because, as much as I am tempted to explore old recordings by Furtwaengler, Toscanini, etc., I am currently forced to doing most of my listening on headphones and I cannot stand mono sound through headphones.
So yes, if you could forget anything before 1955 (or whenever was stereo introduced in orchestral recordings) what would your selection be?
