Customer Reviews

Brahms - Symphonies No. 3 and 4 / Semyon Bychkov, WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln

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This was my first experience with Bychkov and his orchestra, and I continue to be impressed by his honest music making and their tremendous sound. They are a gem, and while not as highly-rated as the Top 5 in the US, should be given attention.

Bychkov embodies the Musin school of conducting, (as in Ilya Musin, revered conducting pedagoge at the St. Petersburg Conservatory until his death in '99) and these DVD's (I also bought Sym. 1 and 2)are a veritable Masterclass. Other graduates include Yuri Temirkanov and Valery Gergiev, although none of them look anything alike in their conducting--yet, you can see similarities. Also of tremendous interest are the special features documentaries that appear on both--one that follows the WDR while on tour, the other that focuses on Bychkov's life.

Great camera work and sound. No audience, and Bychkov takes all the repeats in the expositions. Very modern-looking dress on the orchestra that gives them a "slick" appearance.

Buyer Beware! This recording is likely to displace your favorite recording of these pieces. Brahms, the WDR Sinfonie-Orchester Koln, and Semyon Bychkov have come together to give us most memorable performances of these great symphonies in astonishingly realistic sound. They are quite simply the most enjoyable and best recorded performances of Brahms' symphonies that I have heard. If you have a good stereo system that will handle multi-channel sound, you are in for a real treat. It is evident that Bychkov has a unique affinity for Brahms and a special relationship with the WDRSOK. Get the DVD version so you can watch these fine artists in action.