Search - J. Brahms :: Orchestral Works

Wonderfully unconventional

Tim Owen | San Francisco, CA | 03/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The current debate over Brahms among music scholars is whether romantic interpretation should be applied to his music. Brahms was a neo-classical romantic period composer. He disliked wagner's music passionately, and took more after Beethoven than any other composer. Whether he would like this recording or not is questionable. At times over-indulgent in dramatic conventions, this recording gives the most romantic version of the symphonies that I can call to mind. It is beautifully done however, and is certainly passionate, and very enjoyable, if not historically accurate. This five disc set encompasses music of one of the orchestral masters in a way that few conductors dare to present it. The Berlin Philharmonic plays absolutely beautifully. If you dont mind dramatic interpretations of Brahms, this set is well worth the money. If you already own a more standard collection, this makes a great second set of the works."