Thread: Brahms Symphony Sets: Your Favourites

well, I have to tell you that the Jochum set has arrived, and I am very impressed with Symphs 1 & 3 (not heard 2 & 4 yet)... a real bargain at £6... I got the impression when I ordered it that this would be a highly competent yet traditional, reserved, solid performance.. these performances are free flowing, with a powerful pulse and 'forward moving tempos with light textures' Ok so its a mono set from the early...

Jared wrote: My point on the Brahms Symph question is that I have asked for such advice, and it has garnered suggestions for over 40 different conductors!! any thread asking for general recommendations will eventually produce every single recording ever made of the work in question - ie - for complete Brahms symphonies - a must have!! : Holzgruber/Disselboom Radio Symphony - recorded in 1946

I know I'm about to commit one of the deadly CMG sins with what I'm about to say, but I've more often than not found the recommendations of the Gramophone and Penguin Guides to be right on. I'll also add that I regularly consult ClassicsToday.com, if only for comparative purposes. It's a great resource. Most of the reviews there have merit and substance to them, whether or not one agrees with the perspectives of the...

Jared wrote: no, I know you weren't... personally I think the PG in particular gets a slightly unfair press on CMG, but I am pleased I have become aware of some of its short-comings, and have been trying very hard to get a more rounded view of opinions on purchases.. Much of the criticism is that it is sold internationally and yet has a very British Bias, it leaves out dozens of important Composers and many reviews are nearly twenty...

Appropriate that my 1000th post will be regarding Brahms. Listened to the second symphony today, in Ansermet's recording. This is one of the most successful entries in Ansermet's cycle. As in the other performances, the French character of the orchestra, including bright, nasal woodwind sound, brass which has some pop to it without being overpowering and a delicate string sound, gives this music an atypical sound-scape. Nice touches...

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Jared wrote: ^^ thanks Darren... I think we're on the same wavelength... you know, you and I are really going to have to get together, some time over the winter (after all, I've got about 30 spare beds)... Sure...why not I also should have seconded any previous posters' recommendations of Szell's cycle (and for that matter the PCs also - with Fleisher)

well, thanks everyone for their input... I started counting up recommendations, in an attempt to do a poll, but gave up after 26 conductors were named... when I come to make a third purchase, I will return to this thread and reconsider..

_________________ "Don't drink and drive. You might spill it."--J. Eugene Baker, aka my late father Yes, as through this world I've wandered /I've seen lots of funny men; /Some will rob you with a six-gun, /And some with a fountain pen.--Song, Pretty Boy Floyd , by Woody Guthrie Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to...

Another fantastic third is the Giulini/VPO recording. It's just about the polar opposite of the aggressive Walter/NYP, which is my other favorite version of this symphony.