Search - Johannes Brahms :: Brahms: The 4 Symphonies

Great Brahms symphony cycle

Daniel W. Fowler | Austin TX | 09/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great traversal of the Brahms symphonies (plus the Haydn Variations and Tragic Overture), recorded by one of the top orchestras in Europe, the Staatskapelle Dresden. This cycle is not to be confused with the other cycle that Kurt Sanderling conducted with the Sinfonie Orchester Berlin or the one conducted by Thomas Sanderling. Rather, this cycle is the same as the one packaged on RCA Eurodisc (which I think has gotten 4 1/2 stars in reviews so far). In this RCA Navigator packaging, the third symphony is not split across disks as it is in the Eurodisc packaging. Here are the track listings:



disk 1 offers symphony no. 1 and the tragic overture

disk 2 offers symphonies 2 and 3

disk 3 offers symphony 4 and the haydn variations



In either case, this Sanderling/Dresden set offers great analog recording from the early 1970s, brilliant orchestral playing, and highly musical interpretations. The fourth movement of the first symphony is one of the finest I've ever heard. I would place this in my top tier of Brahms symphony cycles along with sets by Furtwangler, Abbado, Toscanini (Philharmonia), and Walter (NY Philharmonic)."

Sound Quality Fine

Amazon Enthusiast | 03/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought my copy of this set through Amazon on Dec. 7, 2006, and it is fine. I have no problems with wow or focus, and my equipment is also quite good. I think this is a highly recommendable set, taking both performance and sound into consideration. The tempos are on the relaxed side, but everything is beautifully balanced, executed, and miked. The packaging is also attractive."