SA-CD.net - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4

2 of 3 recommend this SA-CD
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Post by Scott March 14, 2007 (1 of 2)

Has anyone else listened to this disc?

I've probably listened to 40-50 performances of these works and own many copies on disc, but I haven't heard anything lately that sounds like these recordings. My general description would be that these performances sound like a cross between Charles Mackerras' and Nikolaus Harnoncourt's approach to the Brahms symphonies in their respective recordings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Overall, an interesting effort, definitely off the "beaten path" in Brahms. It's not terrible, but it does take some getting used to.

Anyone think it will replace Karajan, Klemperer, Bohm, or Abbado as reference recordings for the Brahms symphonies?

Post by flyingdutchman March 14, 2007 (2 of 2)

Scott said:

Has anyone else listened to this disc?

I've probably listened to 40-50 performances of these works and own many copies on disc, but I haven't heard anything lately that sounds like these recordings. My general description would be that these performances sound like a cross between Charles Mackerras' and Nikolaus Harnoncourt's approach to the Brahms symphonies in their respective recordings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Overall, an interesting effort, definitely off the "beaten path" in Brahms. It's not terrible, but it does take some getting used to.

Anyone think it will replace Karajan, Klemperer, Bohm, or Abbado as reference recordings for the Brahms symphonies?

In a word, no. Mackerras' way with Brahms does not impress me in the least and there is no way this kind of recording would do away with memories of the 4 your mentioned.