Brahms Symphonies and Concerti - Page 3

Ooo, ooo. I haven't ordered the other Violin Concerto yet. Anybody here have any comparison opinions? I am rather partial to Szell recordings in case you didn't know .

Just received my Jochum/Gilels piano concerti today. Only had a chance to listen to the opening exposition of the mvt. 1 of the 1st concerto. Wow it sounds different from my Szell/Fleisher. Very intriguing. I will report more later.

Cheers,
dshea

I very much agree. The Jochum/Gilels concerti are on average a minute or two longer than the Szell/Fleisher movements. I want to spend more time with them, but thought I might shed some interesting initial impressions.

When doing Brahms chamber music, it is common practice to play the more lyric second themes at a slightly slower more dolce tempo. I was blown away by how much Jochum does this as I usually don't hear this practice in symphonic works. He pulls it off. He really broadens the tempos of the lyric themes and lets them decay to almost a stand still. It is truly remarkeable. He then ramps up his tempi slowly but deliberately and arrives at the change of themes in new tempos just at the last possible moment. I always think he isn't going to quite make it, but he does it. Gilels performs with a similar flexibility in tempo and approach.

I think Tyson's description as epic is good. The music unfolds in a very organic and narrative way and sounds like good Brahms chamber music.

I still like the Fleisher/Szell recordings. The winds are better players, but that is one of my hangups and shouldn't really be discussed. The Szell recordings are more virtuosic and driven. They have a more of what one could describe as more of a virtuosic pianistic flair to them. Great recordings.

Both these recordings are wonderful. As I said, I need to spend some more time with Jochum/Gilels because there is something really different and special about them. Plus, I am so familiar with the Szell recordings, I have to get rid of the "this sounds different" thought that comes to my head. Thanks all for guiding me to these recordings. Now I really do need to order the Jochum symphonies.

cheers,
dshea

Perhaps, but I bet I will. I am about 4-6 weeks behind. I am just getting my Bruckner and Mahler house in order. Brahms has just arrived, although I need to purchase some more. Now that I think my equipment setup is set for awhile I can actually buy CDs now.

Bartok and Shostakovich need much more discussion and purchase activity.

dshea

I have listened to my new Jochum, symphonies 1-3. This group is clearly reference quality. I love Jochum's ability sustain slower phrases and drive the faster tempi to great heights. The style is very organic and natural. I liked Tyson's description of Jochum's style, epic.

Symphonies 1 and 2 are clearly my favorite version. Szell's 3 I think works better in terms of tempo and general presentation. I think this is perhaps because 3 is a little more balanced and benefits greatly from a more classical approach.

I still think my Szell recordings for 1 and 2 are right up there. But I will give the edge to Jochum. Now I have to get Klemperer (or Wand, I can't remember which) for the 4th symphony.

dshea