Brahms: 4 Symphonies / Variations [Box set]

Christa Ludwig (Artist), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Karl Bohm (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Karl Bohm
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (October 8, 2002)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• 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: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000069KIZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,911 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #98 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Variations

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: BRAHMS,J.
Title: SYM (4)/HAYDN VARS
Street Release Date: 10/08/2002
Domestic
Genre: CLASSICAL COMPOSERS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great bargains of DG's catalog, October 10, 2005

By 

Alan Majeska "Alan Majeska" (Bad Axe, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: 4 Symphonies / Variations (Audio CD)

Karl Bohm's recording of Brahms Four Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic (recorded 1975-76) is one of the great bargains of the DG catalog. These are recorded in beautiful analog stereo sound in the Musikvereinsalle, one of the world's great concert halls, and Bohm was in great shape when these were put on tape.
The Vienna Philharmonic could of course play these works in their sleep, having recorded and performed them numerous times under other great conductors since Brahms (1833-1897) was living. Karl Bohm (1894-1981) had ample experience conducting Brahms, having recorded Symphonies 1 and 2 with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1940, and again with Symphonies 1 and 2 with the Berlin Philharmonic for DG, about 1960. There is a famous Bohm/Dresden State Orchestra recording of Brahms Symphony 4 from the late 1930s, reissued in the US on Dutton (but may be deleted now), and a Vox LP (mono) of Brahms 3 by Bohm/Vienna from about 1952.

Bohm's tempos here are slower than some, especially the Allegros, but his sense of forward motion and phrasing do not make them seem overly long or tedious, as is the case with Bernstein's 1983 recordings, with the same orchestra (DG).
Symphony 1 is big and bold, and Bohm is not afraid to slow down for big moments, although he does not jerk tempos around for effect, as do some conductors. Symphony 2 seems more autumnal than some recordings, but is perfect in flow and pacing. Symphonies 3 and 4 sound beautiful, and are again on the moderate to slow side. These are all beautiful recordings, and I have the highest admiration for them.

DG waited a long time to release Karl Bohm's Brahms Symphonies, as they already had cycles by Karajan/Berlin (1978 and 1987-88, 2 different cycles), Bernstein/Vienna (1983) and Abbado/Berlin (early 1990s) in their catalog. But they have done a great job with this presentation, and the dismates: Haydn Variations, Tragic Overture, and Alto Rhapsody with Christa Ludwig, are all first rate and very beautiful.

One apt description for this release would be "think of Bruno Walter with a better orchestra." Since Bohm was Walter's assistant at the Munich opera in the early 1920s - the beginning of his career - this is an appropriate description.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Very few, if any, weaknesses, October 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Brahms: 4 Symphonies / Variations (Audio CD)

This is, overall, a fantastic set, especially considering the its budget price. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that your taste will decide whether you like the set or not. Firstly, the 1st Symphony is fabulous, no reservations or quibbles. The 2nd is elative, though, for some, the tempos may be a bit slow, but I find that Bohm makes it interesing enough (or really, more interesting than any other conductor I have encountered) that you don't notice that slow tempos at all. The 3rd may not be to everyone's taste, especially if you think Klemperer's 3rd is the ideal. Really, though, it is never at any point less than satisfactory, and sometimes quite good. The 4th is dark and gloomy, if you like it that way. The Haydn Variations, Tragic Overture and the Alto Rhapsody (especially the Alto Rhapsody) are beyond praise. The sound, though not digital, is late analog, and is really fantastic, warmer than any digital recording I have encountered made before 1990. Really, if you want a good collection of the symphonyies, with some bonuses, you can't get better than this, especially at the price range. Highly Reccomended.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent No. 1 and Alto Rhapsody, but little else stands out., January 19, 2003

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: 4 Symphonies / Variations (Audio CD)

For some, the choice in stereo boxed sets might be either Bohm or Sanderling. I see no clear winner between the two, though I give Bohm the edge on the practical consideration of price. He also offers, along with soprano Christa Ludwig, a very fine Alto Rhapsody. In the symphonies, Bohm's account of the First ranks near the finest I have heard. There's a very pleasing overall balance between firmness and flexibility, and Bohm seems to treat each movement as if it was individually special. Technically, the other symphonies are well played, but they lack the special quality brought to the First. I find the Second intermittently lethargic, while its third movement lacks somewhat in playful spirit. There's also little that impresses me in Symphonies Three and Four. In particular, a sense of fantasy seems to be missing in the idyllic middle movements of the Third. My favorite sets, all of which I consider superior to both Bohm and Sanderling, are Jochum's with the Berlin Philharmonic(one container with two mono discs), Weingartner's with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras in somewhat dated mono sound, the two by Bruno Walter, one with the New York Philharmonic in mono, the other with the Columbia Symphony in stereo, where you must buy separate discs for each symphony, Otto Klemperer's with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Georg Solti's with the Chicago Symphony.