Search - Johannes Brahms, Felix Weingartner, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Brahms: Complete Symphonies

Great music, but a very poor recording

Joshua Gray | State College, PA United States | 01/23/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Although the music was wonderfully expressive, the recording quality was horrible. I would only purchase this as a comparison for other recordings of Brahms major symphonies."

Brahms Four Symphonies - Weingartner

samuel melson | United States | 04/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These CDs are a great transfer from 78s. The sound is clear and the joining of sides is without flaw. About all I noticed was an extra beat in the third movement of the first symphony near the end where a group of sixteenths are repeated. There has been some confusion for a while over the particular orchestras and which symphonies they recorded. I know that the first and fourth were the LSO and the third is the LPO. The second has confusion that goes back a while, though I'm leaning towards the LSO.
Certain works seem to lend themselves to interpretive skill more than others. Brahms' first always sounds different depending on the conductor and the fourth doesn't usually get as wide a variance on tempos as the other three. However, Weingartner's experience tends to result in performances of the last three that grow as the records are heard repeatedly.
If you are still happily maturing in your appreciation of Brahms, the Weingartner cycle of symphonies is a "must listen" in my opinion."

Great conductor, great orchestra, but...

Richard W. Kirkendall | Iowa City, IA United States | 10/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Subpar recording. I personally don't mind most audio at a "less-than-pure-digital" level, but when I actually notice the static above the music, then I get perturbed. I absolutely love these symphonies, and I've never heard them better played / conducted, but if audio quality is a big factor for you, I'd investigate something more recent. Obviously the recording's age has something to do with the fuzz."