A nice surprise from the early Naxos catalog
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/26/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"
This 1992 recording of the Brahms First is a reminder of the decade when Naxos, rising to grab ten percent of the entire classical record market, accomplished that feat with unknown orchestras and conductors. Rahbari was one of their early stars. It must be odd to sell millions of CDs and yet, so far as I know, never get any recognition from world-famous orchestras. Here he shows a real talent for Brahms, more so than the trendy Marin Alsop, now favored by Naxos for their new cycle.
The Brussels Belgium Radio and TV Orchestra play very well; no one would look down on them if they weren't unknowns, and the recording is warm and full. Rahbari takes a middle-of-the-road approach, but he inclines toward inner drama, which is all to the good. I'd rate this reading above the latest ones from Haitink, Chailly, Mausr, and other big-name conductors."
Nice Performance...
Santa Fe Listener | 11/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think it would be a good investment ...Rahbari did a decent job with an average orchersta (BRT philharmonic)especially with the hayden Variations (furthermore, it was sort of different perspective toward the Brahms first symphony which was strong and different from the others), it is absouloutly worthed to buy ..."