Brahms Symphonies and Concerti

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Toscanni/RCA 1-4 This is newest 1999 remaster, mono recordings from 1951-52. These are lean powerful performances with great clarity of line that allows you to see deep into the orchestral score. No thick lush romantic sentimentality here, reminds me closest of Kleiber/DG 4th. I must admit these are very close to the top performances I have heard of Brahms and at this low price an essential purchase for any Brahms fan. I did burn black CDR copies of original CDs to give sound more fullness and body, seems to work well in this case.

Interesting....I wonder how the color of the CDR could impact sound....or am I missing so secret hifi voodoo

 

[DarkAngel]

There is a slight tonal shift that occurs........the black CDR copy will have slightly less treble energy and more low mid and bass energy. Net result is black CDRs sound slightly fuller/richer/smoother than original, useful for CDs that have thin bright sound.

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel There is a slight tonal shift that occurs........the black CDR copy will have slightly less treble energy and more low mid and bass energy. Net result is black CDRs sound slightly fuller/richer/smoother than original, useful for CDs that have thin bright sound.

Interesting will have to try this myself, any particular brand you use?

Scott

 

[DarkAngel]

Black CDRs are a bit hard to find, Memorex is probably most common and can be found if you check around a bit.

I use external CDR drive connected by USB2 cable to computer, and burn direct transfer from computer CDR to external CDR (no hard drive copy) at slower burn speed 8x-12x. There are many software packages to manage: Roxio, Nero etc.

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Black CDRs are a bit hard to find, Memorex is probably most common and can be found if you check around a bit.

Interesting, I'll Google/Froogle for those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel I use external CDR drive connected by USB2 cable to computer, and burn direct transfer from computer CDR to external CDR (no hard drive copy) at slower burn speed 8x-12x. There are many software packages to manage: Roxio, Nero etc.

I use Nero, I like it since it has plugins for lossless formats like FLAC and Monkeys Audio.

Scott

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Toscanni/RCA 1-4 This is newest 1999 remaster, mono recordings from 1951-52. These are lean powerful performances with great clarity of line that allows you to see deep into the orchestral score. No thick lush romantic sentimentality here, reminds me closest of Kleiber/DG 4th. I must admit these are very close to the top performances I have heard of Brahms and at this low price an essential purchase for any Brahms fan. I did burn black CDR copies of original CDs to give sound more fullness and body, seems to work well in this case.

Once again DarkAngel has broken my will. Got a used copy from Amazon for $10.

Scott

 

[DarkAngel]

Ha ha ........ did I mention I liked the Toscanini Brahms set so I much I also got the Toscanini Beethoven set from same series.

How can you loose, $10 for legendary performances of complete Brahms set?

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Ha ha ........ did I mention I liked the Toscanini Brahms set so I much I also got the Toscanini Beethoven set from same series. How can you loose, $10 for legendary performances of complete Brahms set?

I also figure if you'll rave about it (a mono recording at that) it's a fairly safe bet.

PS - Of course I'll watch the Betthoven thread for your thoughts on that one....

 

[Tyson]

Szell is similar in concept, but in better sound and a bit better performance

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson Szell is similar in concept, but in better sound and a bit better performance

I like Szell on the VC, May have to pick up the Symphonies one of these days, since Sony has put them on Budget discs.

Scott

 

[scottder]

My Toscanini Brahms arrived yesterday. Will post my impressions soon.

Scott

 

[scottder]

Picked up Klemperer on Brahms 1st finally. Time to revive this thread.

 

[daycart1]

You're in for some fun! Those make an interesting comparison--Tosci's Brahms tends to be very snappy with fast tempi and sharply articulated rhythms. IMO this works best in the 1st--not so well in the 2nd and 3rd.

The Klemperer is more staid--the sound is quite nice on the Angel vinyl....

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottder Picked up Klemperer on Brahms 1st finally. Time to revive this thread.

You will know in the first 15 seconds that greatness is at hand, listen to that opening run with the powerful tympani strikes.......amazing, unlike any other version......Klemperer/EMI GROTC is the reference Brahms 1st for me. Where Klemperer set falls short is the 2nd, 3rd where a more supple fluid approach is required.

I did just recently get the Alsop/Naxos 1st & 2nd.......don't let the hype fool you, these are merely good/very good versions with new modern sound at great price, but there are many classic versions with better perofrmance. The Klemperer 1st above for instance is far superior........

 

[mbhaub]

For me, the Alsop's were a major disappointment: there's nothing new, no insight that hasn't been found before. The sound wasn't that good, and there are several really irritating bad edits: the result of too many takes and too many splices. Frankly, unless you've got something really special to say in Brahms, don't. The competition is too fierce, what with Szell, Klemperer, Sanderling, Wand, Karajan, Bernstein, Barbirolli, Solti, Toscanini, Harnoncourt, Mackerras, Davis, Barenboim...you get the point. Alsop, despite her undeniable talents on the podium, isn't in this league.
If it's up-to-date sound want, I found the Ondine set with Berglund a lot of fun: young Brahms. Through headphones this set is great. But you have to accept the small orchestra point of view.