Brahms Masur Westminster Symphonic Choir - Complete Symphonies 14 Tragic Overture (29 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Brahms, Masur, Westminster Symphonic Choir
Complete Symphonies 1-4 / Tragic Overture
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (5) - Disc #1
1. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: Un poco sostenuto
2. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: Andante sostenuto
3. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: Un poco Allegretto e grazioso
4. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: Adagio - Più Andante - Allegro non troppo ma con brio - Più Allegro
5. Tragic Overture, in D minor, Op. 81
Track Listings (5) - Disc #2
1. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73: Allegro non troppo
2. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73: Adagio non troppo
3. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73: Allegretto grazioso (Quasi Andantino) - Presto ma non assai
4. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73: Allegro con spirito
5. Academic Festival Overture, for orchestra in C minor ('Akademische Festouvertüre'), Op. 80
Track Listings (14) - Disc #3
1. Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90: Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90: Andante
3. Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90: Poco Allegretto
4. Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90: Allegro
5. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Chorale St. Antony: Andante
6. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. I: Poco più animato
7. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. II: Più vivace
8. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. III: Con moto
9. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. IV: Andante con moto
10. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. V: Vivace
11. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. VI: Vivace
12. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. VII: Grazioso
13. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Var. VIII: Presto non troppo
14. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a: Finale: Andante
Track Listings (5) - Disc #4
1. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: Allegro non troppo
2. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: Andante moderato
3. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: Allegro giocoso
4. Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: Allegro energico e passionato
5. Hyperions Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) for chorus and orchestra, Op. 54

CD Details

All Artists: Brahms, Masur, Westminster Symphonic Choir
Title: Complete Symphonies 1-4 / Tragic Overture
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Elektra / Wea
Release Date: 10/29/1996
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 4
SwapaCD Credits: 4
UPC: 706301356524

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Under Kurt Masur, the New York Philharmonic has achieved a marvelously rich, dark sound that suits this music quite well. Unfortunately, Masur just isn't a conductor to set the pulse racing, and these very well played and recorded performances end up sounding dull. Nothing's out of place, but there's also nothing very interesting happening either. Given the fact that you can get a great Brahms cycle for less than the cost of a single one of these discs (Kurt Sanderling's, for instance), there's just no point in investing in these performances. --David Hurwitz

CD Reviews

One of the Best Brahms Symphony Cycles

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This underrated Brahms symphony cycle has received some recognition in the annual Grammophone guide to classical CDs, which singles out the Masur/New York Philharmonic's version of the 2nd symphony as among the best out there. Indeed, I think the New York Philharmonic Orchestra plays as well as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Haitink's critically acclaimed cycle which they recorded for Phillips in the 1970's. Furthermore, Masur gives a warmer, more vibrant view of Brahms than Haitink. Indeed, the New York Philharmonic sounds more like a Central European orchestra than a motlety crew of brash, self indulgent American soloists. Aside from the splendid version of the 2nd Symphony, other great performances in this set include the Academic Festival Overture, Variations on a theme from Haydn and the 1st and 4th symphonies. However, I suspect that one major reason why this fine set hasn't received more recognition is because of some coughing from the audience; all of the performances were recorded live. Yet Teldec's engineers still manage to produce a well-balanced set of recordings. Although this set won't replace the Sanderling/Dresden Staatskapelle and Bernstein/Vienna Philharmonic versions, it is one worthy of serious consideration by those looking for an entire Brahms symphony cycle."

BRAHMS SIN NOVEDAD

Francisco J. Muñoz | Santa Cruz, Bolivia | 03/29/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Las interpretaciones de la Sinfonías de Brahms por Kurt Masur, en realidad no tienen nada de malo, pero tampoco nada relevante. Dentro de esta misma literatura tenemos versiones mucho mejor logradas. Antes de comprar Masur mejor busque una de estas otras: Karajan / Berlín, Toscanini / NBC, Bernstein / Viena, Abbado / Berlín, Walter / Columbia."