Notes and Editorial Reviews
Otto Klemperer's Brahms needs no introduction. It remains a classic reference edition, one of the very few complete cycles with absolutely no weak links. It's customary to call these performances "granitic", an adjective that certainly applies to the First Symphony but doesn't begin to describe the swift and thrilling finale of the Fourth, the grand but impulsive Third (with its first-movement repeat in place), or the warmly lyrical Second. In general Klemperer's unsentimental but always gripping approach to this music practically defines the word "idiomatic". The Alto Rhapsody with Christa Ludwig also is one of the great ones, while the shorter works share the same virtues as the symphonies. The sound shows its age a bit, but it has been
Read more
well remastered in this latest transfer (which differs only marginally from previous issues). A Great Recording of the Century indeed! [4/28/2004]--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphony no 1 in C minor, Op. 68 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1855-1876; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
2.
Symphony no 2 in D major, Op. 73 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
3.
Symphony no 3 in F major, Op. 90 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
4.
Symphony no 4 in E minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1884-1885; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
5.
Academic Festival Overture in C minor, Op. 80 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
6.
Tragic Overture, Op. 81 by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Austria
Date of Recording: 1956-57
7.
Variations in B flat major on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a "St. Anthony" by Johannes Brahms
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1873; Austria
Date of Recording: 1954
8.
Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Christa Ludwig (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Otto Klemperer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra,
Philharmonia Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869; Austria
Date of Recording: 1962
Sound Samples
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Thema: Chorale St. Antoni (Andante)
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation I: Poco più animato
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation II: Più vivace
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation III: Con moto
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation IV: Andante con moto
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation V: Vivace
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation VI: Vivace
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation VII: Grazioso
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Variation VIII: Presto non troppo
Variations on a Theme by Haydn ('St Antoni Chorale'), Op. 56a (1992 Digital Remaster): Finale: Andante
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1999 Digital Remaster): First movement: Un poco sostenuto - Allegro
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1999 Digital Remaster): Second movement: Andante sostenuto
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1999 Digital Remaster): Third movement: Un poco allegretto e grazioso
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1999 Digital Remaster): Fourth movement: Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo ma con brio
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1999 Digital Remaster): First movement: Allegro non troppo
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1999 Digital Remaster): Second movement: Adagio non troppo
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1999 Digital Remaster): Third movement: Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino)
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1999 Digital Remaster): Fourth movement: Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (1999 Digital Remaster): First movement: Allegro con brio - un poco sostenuto - Tempo I
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (1999 Digital Remaster): Second movement: Andante
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (1999 Digital Remaster): Third movement: Poco allegretto
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (1999 Digital Remaster): Fourth movement: Allegro - un poco sostenuto
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Brahm´s' symphonies etc. Otto Klemperer May 20, 2013
By Kurt von Linstow (Copenhagen Ø, Denmark) See All My Reviews
"Very fine recordings. A pity only that the St. Antoni variations are not in stereo."
Report Abuse
I like it. April 3, 2013
By John Johnson (Grandview, MO) See All My Reviews
"Brahms is a bit new to me, and as with all my other likes, it takes time, sometimes years, to get to know a new thing. I've listen to these symphonies by Brahms only a few times, I found them enjoyable and interesting, and look forward towards a growing awareness of there beauty."
Report Abuse
Review This Title
