Customer Reviews

Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 3 / Tragic & Academic Festival Overtures, Opp. 80,81

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Jochum's readings of the first three Brahms Symphonies are lithe, sinewy performances with flexible tempi and phrasing that seem almost to presage the practices of the 'authentic' performers. Compared to Szell in this repertoire, for example, I find these Jochum readings to be just a bit less complacent, more heterogeneous and more spontaneous. Incisiveness is not Jochum's main objective (Furtwangler was Jochum's mentor, after all) while expressive leeway is.

In the First Symphony, Jochum is not afraid to whip up a tempo here and there, the coda of the Finale of the First Symphony being a good example. Some of the dynamic crescendos in the slow movement take one by surprise initially but come to seem natural after repeated hearings. By contrast, Jochum paces the third movement so that the climax does not run away from him.

The natural way in which the first movement of the Second Symphony unfolds is totally disarming. There's charm here balanced with virility and Jochum does not hesitate to bend tempi to increase expressive effect. On first hearing, the Finale of the Second Symphony seems to be a bit lightweight but the tempo is Allegro con spirito and Jochum is content to let the music speak for itself without imposing any preconceived heroism.

In the Third Symphony, the relative shortness of phrasing (compared with Szell) is apparent throughout. There's less of a heroic stride here than with Szell but more litheness and spontaneity. The relative objectivity of the third movement is most striking. Among versions that I've heard, Bruno Walter's seems closest to Jochum's approach to this symphony although Jochum is more volatile.

In total, these performances are hard to resist. Given the excellence of the remastered analogue and the fine performances of the two overtures, this is a highly recommendable, nay, essential reissue.

Great set. I just picked this up from Amazon, and I must say I am quite pleased. Jochum's direction is, quite simply, electrifying. I would say the 3rd is definitive, and the 1st and 2nd are up there with the other great interpretations. The 4th (on this disc's pair in the catalogue) is very good, but not quite to the same level as these 3. I have never heard anyone take the third that quickly and fearsomely, and the same can be said for the coda in the finales of Symphony No.1 and Symphony No.2. Just a brilliant trilogy, with the fourth paired with Ein Deutsches Requiem on another EMI two-fer. I would recommend this set to anyone who likes lushness, density and beautiful string sonorities first and foremost with their Brahms. Add to those qualities impeccable interpretation from an old master from a different time, and you've got a winner. I would highly recommend both two-fers to complete the cycle.

Jochum's stereo Brahms cycle is stunningly beautiful, and makes me curious to hear his mono set from the early 50s. The Walter and Solti Brahms cycles are classics, but Jochum's is right up there, and the sound is outstanding. His tempos are just different enough to be interesting and make you hear the music in a new way, without being eccentric. Highly recommended, especially at the reasonable price.

This is probably the finest Brahms cycle I have heard. Walter is good with 2 & 3 but is let down by his orchestra and the sound. Not only is the sound on this release excellent, Jochum has Walter's lyricism and is more muscular when needed. Morover, his tempi and phrasing are flexible unlike Abbado, Klemperer etc which means he makes the music really sing. Till I listen to Sanderling, to me this is at the top. When I play any symphony in this cycle, I don't feel like switching it off, it is so gripping.

EMI originally issued this recording of Brahms 1st symphony with Jochum and the London Philharmonic in another CD that has been out of print for many years. It took me a long time to find this wonderful recording.

Even though it is not a digital recording, the sound is great and the detail is amazing.

I admit, it is the 4th movement of the 1st symphony of which I was in search. What I was looking for in other recordings, and did not find, is the delicate and unmatched orchestral balance that is shown here. For instance, this is the only recording I am aware of in which brass section does not drown out the bassoons, in fact the contra bassoon can be clearly distinguished from the rest. In many other recordings this is not the case, and the brass is almost always overbright and overshadowing.

The recording further features one of the best flute solos that I have ever heard.

Listening to this recording is simply a joy!

Sometimes I wish my eyes did decieve me when I read critical opinions. These three Brahms symphonies are the definition of solid, midle-European interpretations, good of their sort but nowhere near great. Yet Mr. Hurwitz hears the London Phil. playing on the eadge of their seats, and other reviewers use words like electrifying and take no prisoners. Huh? I cherish Brhams symphony cycles from Bruno Walter, Karajan, Bernstein, Furtwangler, Mravinsky, and Toscanini, all of whom elicit powerful readings where the orchestral playing really is electrifying. Jochum is intermittently vital.

Tempos tend to be average throughout; there's no sense of exaggeration, and Jochum is modest enough to let Brahms speak for himself. But listen to the opening Adagio seciton of the First's finale--there's no tension at all. One bar follows another, rather grandly voiced but with no attempt to evoke Brahms's mystery and sense of anticipation. The Second Sym., being a less dramatic work, doesn't suffer as much from Jochum's lack of rhythmic vitality--it flows well, and with a vigorous finale and lilting Scherzo, I'd rank it the best performance here.

The Third is the most energetic of Jochum's readings, but it's hard to keep together, and his sonorous, broad style doesn't catch fire. Certainly his Third is good, even if the first three movements proceed at basically the same pace--a little variety would have helped. Jochum's brisk finale is welcome, but he brings no sense of mystery or great joy.

Jochum does inspire loyalty, and as with Ormandy, I'm happy to let his fans enjoy what they enjoy. On objctive grounds, however, this is just middling good Brahms.