Customer Reviews

Brahms: Alto Rhapsody; Nänie; Gesang der Parzen; Schicksalslied

5 star:		(4)
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2 star:		(1)
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A very rare recording that is seldom seen or heard. Most of the works on the album are rarely recorded, making this cd an unusual and exciting find. The four works on the disc show Brahms at his best. The playing of the orchestra, the singing of the choir and the direction of Robert shaw are all flawless and beautifully done. Get this cd as soon as posible!

Brahms is overwhelmingly the most-performed composer in the 45-year history of the American Choral Directors Association conventions, according to a very informative ACDA monograph by Sandefur Schmidt -- confirming what one might naturally suspect. This reflects not only the especially large contribution Brahms made to choral literature (both sacred and secular, large- and small-scale), but also a universal love for that romantic era of music which Brahms exemplified better than anyone, in absolutely first-rate compositions. Okay, maybe some people don't care for it. For the rest, you can't go wrong with these, the secular pieces for chorus & orchestra -- a sub-genre with almost no lasting competition from Brahms' contemporaries or followers. Uniquely gorgeous works, in excellent performances.

This is Brahms at his most contemplative, complex and introspective. Complete attention is required. If you are looking for lollypops & lullabies you will be disappointed. This music takes you to the lofty heights of parnassus. No one said the climb would be easy & you need to have made the necessary intellectual preparation.
Robert Shaw & the Atlanta Symphony have, once again, shown themselves to be a first class unit. There is no banal, excessive displays of emotion, no hysteria - just beautiful music tatefully recorded.

I have had this recording for a number of years. Marilyn Horne and the men of the Atlanta Symphony Chorus perform the Alto Rhapsody beautifully and with conviction. The chorus and orchestra perform the other 3 compositions with the usual high quality typically associated with Robert Shaw. Though these are perhaps not the most familiar works of Brahms, I believe the CD is definitely worth having.

I found the balance between the orchestra and the voice parts was poor. The voices were comparatively lower in volume. A great disappointment.