Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) [Box set]

Karl Schmitt-Walter (Performer), Hans Hotter (Performer), Gunther Leib (Performer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Jaap van Zweden (Conductor), Eduardo Marturet (Conductor), Arpad Joo (Conductor), Nicol Matt (Conductor), Helmut Koch (Conductor), Janos Sandor (Conductor), Nash Ensemble (Performer), Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland (Orchestra), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Gyor Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Jens Wollenschläger (Performer), Karin Lechner (Performer), Derek Han (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Karl Schmitt-Walter, Hans Hotter, Gunther Leib, Nash Ensemble, Jens Wollenschläger, et al.
• Orchestra: Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, et al.
• Conductor: Jaap van Zweden, Eduardo Marturet, Arpad Joo, Nicol Matt, Helmut Koch, et al.
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (November 30, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 40
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Brilliant Classics
• ASIN: B00062FLIS
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,057 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Variations > Variations
  • #20 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Sextets
  • #47 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Psalms

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The "Clinker" of the bunch, December 18, 2006

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Cameron Parkes - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) (Audio CD)

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Partial Dissent -- Enjoyable and Then Some, April 9, 2011

By 

T. Beers (Arlington, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) (Audio CD)

I don't want to belabor the point made by my headline, but calling this set a "clinker" is going too far in my opinion. Yes, Jaap van Zweden's performances of the symphonies are hardly world-beaters, but they are fine, lean, musicianly accounts that will please folks who favor Brahms by conductors like Weingartner, Sawallisch, and others. Not bad company to be in! Yes, the performances of the concertos are also less than prime contenders, although Karin Lechner's deftly meditated and subtly articulated piano concertos grow on me each time I hear them, and the Double Concerto features strong leads in violinist Emma Verhey and the great cellist Janos Starker. And finally, YES, it is shocking that Brilliant did not see fit to include the Haydn Variations, Tragic Overture, and the two luscious orchestral serenades. But the chamber music performances are all quite fine and beautifully recorded, ditto the lovely choral music, a capella or with piano accompaniment.

In fact, I'd wager that these choral music discs will bring the greatest and most pleasurable surprises for many purchasers because, outside Germany and Austria, this music is still little known and most of it is astonishingly beautiful. The solo piano music is placed in capable hands ... particularly noteworthy performances are by Haakon Austbo, an underrated Norwegian master pianist, and Helene Grimaud (her Denon recordings of the second and third piano sonatas). The performances of the songs (lieder) seem to be most controversial since these feature historic rather than modern recordings (most of the other performances in this set are DDD, and quite fine technically). But what a feast of vocal performance art! Six CDs of mostly masterful performances led by the great lieder pianist Michael Raucheissen feature the cream of male and female German lieder singers from the 1930s/1940s ... legendary folks like Peter Anders, Hans Hotter, Emmi Leisner, Erna Berger, Julius Patzak, and the young Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. The sound on these 70-plus years old lieder discs cannot compare with modern productions, but is astonishingly good for its time.

In short, I probably agree that these discs are a "mixed bag," but there's more than enough 24 karat gold treasure here to justify the very modest price many sellers are asking. My biggest disappointment is that no texts are provided for the 15 CDs that contain vocal music (choral music and lieder)! Treasure, nevertheless.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable!, October 5, 2007

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W. Gniffke (Omaha, Nebraska) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) (Audio CD)

I have listened to these recordings. With only a few exceptions, these recordings are good to very good in terms of interpretation and sound quality. This set has a lot to offer at a reasonable price!