Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 (Royal Edition No. 20)

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (July 28, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027M5
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,599 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Allegro non troppo

2. Adagio non troppo

3. Allegretto grazioso

4. Allegro con spirito

5. Allegro con brio

6. Andante

7. Poco Allegretto

8. Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, March 29, 2009

By 

David Saemann - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 (Royal Edition No. 20) (Audio CD)

Lenny's 1962 Brahms 2nd, the first recording ever made in what was then called Philharmonic Hall, has long been my favorite version on LP. This CD is very faithful to the sound of the LP, minus the surface noise. This is a muscular performance, with a string sound that digs in with a beautifully proportioned balance. Lenny takes the 1st movement exposition repeat, which was rather uncommon in 1962. Throughout, the wind and horn soloists offer playing of wonderful nuance and color, clearly taking inspiration from their leader. And he doesn't rush the coda of the finale, either. The 3rd was recorded in Manhattan Center 2 years later. Here the sound engineering is just as detailed, but with more bloom overall. The opening virtually explodes out of the orchestra. Once again, Lenny takes the first movement's exposition repeat. The third movement is more passionate than usual, with yearning string sound. And Lenny hits the second subject of the finale with an absolutely perfect tempo for the cellos, as the whole movement flows naturally to its conclusion. There are other great recordings of these works--I'm very fond of Cristian Mandeal in the 3rd--but I doubt there are any that are better.