Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Gesang der Parzen (Song of the Fates)

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Berlin Radio Orchestra Chorus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Berlin Radio Orchestra Chorus
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (September 15, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00000AFRE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,910 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Go for the Gusto Approach........and it works!, February 20, 2001

By 

Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Gesang der Parzen (Song of the Fates) (Audio CD)

Pay no attention to bad reviews of this recording, because it is incredible. I've been collecting and listening to classical music for a while and until recently I haven't found a recording by Claudio Abbado that I would term my very favorite recording. With that said, I was hesitant to buy his Brahms No. 1. However, the Penguin Guide had given it a good review. I decided that I might as well take a chance. The symphony is great, so it couldn't be horrible. Well not only is this performance good, but it instantly charged up to my favorite recording of Brahms No. 1. I have von Karajan, Szell, Solti, Bernstein, and MacKerras. I like all of their recordings, but when I heard Abbado's, something became quite clear to me---this is awesome Brahms. It's high voltage, it's driven, it's impeccably played, and it's moving. Abbado has his orchestra delving into the music and strongly articulating various passages that other conductors mull over. I think that's what I like best about this recording is that it's so articulate and driven. Someone said below that Toscanini must be turning in his grave. I say who cares? I don't think Brahms is turning over in his, and that's what matters. This is an awesome recording of Symphony No. 1 and I can't qualify / recommend it enough. If you're looking for a recording, definitely get this one!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine Brahms 1 that characterises Abbado's Berlin years., June 15, 2002

By 

Yi-Peng (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Gesang der Parzen (Song of the Fates) (Audio CD)

This Claudio Abbado performance of Brahms's groundbreaking first symphony is one of the most beautiful-sounding performances of this work today. Recorded during the early years of Abbado's partnership with the Berliners, it makes a fine listen for anyone who already has existing favourite versions of this work. The Berliners have the music instinctively in their blood, having played it with Karajan on many occasions, and Abbado shows that he can embellish the character of the Karajan sound in this performance. To add to this, the DG engineers give us top-notch recording quality, with digital clarity bringing out the best and most sumptuous sound of the orchestra, strong in atmospheric feeling yet never clouding in inner detail.

After a thundering Introduction with the timpani drumstrokes signalling a sense of foreboding, Abbado lurches into the first movement with a relentless, driving passion. This driving passion resembles clearly the impetus of the famous first movement of Beethoven's Fifth symphony (the key of which is shared in this symphony), whose famous four-note motto makes cameo appearances at certain points of the movement. The lyricism of the middle movements is keenly displayed, with a sweet-sounding violin contribution from the anonymous concertmaster in the slow movement, and beautiful woodwind contributions in the third movement. The fourth movement and its links with the Joy Theme of Beethoven's ninth symphony crowns a superb performance, with the tragic mood of the introduction keenly showing, and the horns blazing in its intensity. As in the first movement, there is forward drive and impulse, and the last few pages are intensely gripping. The Gesang der Perzen which rounds off this disc makes an unusual fill-up, even though at times I feel that the Tragic Overture (with its Beethovenian overtones) could have been more suitable. But nevertheless, both chorus and orchestra are able to get to the tragic heart of this piece very well.

In short, I would heartily recommend this performance of Brahms's first symphony not only to novices to the symphony, but also to Abbado admirers who would like a fine CD from his Berlin years. The booklet has a pretty good essay by musicologist Michael Steinberg, and the text of the Gesang der Perzen, with English translations.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvel, February 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Gesang der Parzen (Song of the Fates) (Audio CD)

Quite frankly, this recoring is quite a marvel. Never have I heard the Berlin Philharmonic sound smoother, yet at the same time crispier, fresher and as young hearted like on this disc. Abbado's Berlin legacy might be debatable, but his Brahms is absolutely stunning and first class.
The suaved-smooth-silkiness of the Berlin sound dating from the Karajan years with emphasis on the strings is still there, but the heaviness is gone. A new emphasis on italian playfulness shines through, and at least here, does these pieces wonders.
It makes me appetite for more...