Search - Johannes Brahms, George Szell, Eugene Ormandy :: Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations

Classic Szell, Excellent Ormandy

Xyp | Cincinnati, OH | 09/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic George Szell. In fact, this performance of the Brahms 1st takes its place near the top of the heap amongst some very stiff competition: it is a great performance and an excellent addition to any collection, especially at mid-price. All the Szell discipline is on full display here- if you're looking for the a bit more overt emotion, try Bruno Walter or Otto Klemperer, as they both turn in ectsatic and soulful readings. Szell's take has a quicker, drier, and more immediate feel to it, but he totally makes it work: in my opinion that goes for just about everything he performed (there was a reason he is known for his precision). The Ormandy performances of the Hungarian Dances are equally rewarding, played with Philadephia's shining flourish. Classic.



For this reissue, the Sony DSD remastering process has very artfully restored the full range of sonics to this recording from the somewhat compressed original master. What an improvment! Highly recommended- let's hope Sony decides to give the rest of Szell's Brahms the same treatment."

Remastering Botch job in Haydn Variations

musicdoc | Wilmington, DE USA | 01/02/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Warning...The Haydn Variations omits a repeat in the Theme that is present in the "Essential Classics" version. This version runs 17:02 and the EC versions runs 17:30. Download that version if you want the whole thing!"