Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Serenade No. 2 (Bernstein Century) [Original recording remastered]

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 (May 18, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000J27T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,409 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, March 31, 2007

By 

King Lemuel "Trust, but verify" (Puyallup, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Serenade No. 2 (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

I am at the NY Phil/Bernstein wing at Rhapsody and have been downloading and sampling Bernstein's music. There must be enough to fill more than an entire DVD. This morning I listened to much of "American Masters," "Harold in Italy," Bizet's "Carmen Suite" and am now listening to Brahms Symphony 1. It has been an enjoyable Saturday morning!

Bernstein covered much of the orchestral standards plus many of the great 20th century composers. I have listened occiasionally to the Brahms symphonies by other conductors but I am by no stretch an expert on them. That being said, my reaction to hearning Bernstein's rendition for the first time, as with much of his music, is "wow, that sounds good." This basic reaction that I have, before getting to the nit picky analysis, explains much of Bernstein's success. The bottom line for millions of listeneers has been, "wow, that sounds good." As usual, the playing by the orchestra, especially the strings, is sweet and this remastered recording, engineering wise, sounds wonderful. Bernstein's passion comes thru loud and clear.

Bernstein has been one of my favorites since I first started listening to classical back in the 70s. I have just about worn out his gatefold double Copland lp.

The late 50s thru the 60s were a golden age for many great American orchestras. If all we had to listen to were George Szell and the CO, Munch and Boston, Bernstein, Reiner and an the CSO, and Ormandy and the great Philadelphia Orchestra we would not go to bed hungry!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listening as Bernstein grew into a passionate Brahmsian, November 25, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Serenade No. 2 (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

In its 24-bit remastering (the same one is used for both the Bernstein Century and Royal Edition issues) this 1960 Brahms First sounds warm and expansive. Bernstein was a passionate Brahmsian, and he grew more so. By 1976, when he recorded the symphony again in Vienna, every bar throbbed with emotion and every phrase was clung to for dear life. That latter style has attracted much criticism, but I think it may prove to be greater than this fine recording, because we are so lacking in conductors with Bernstein's passionate conviction.

Leaving that aside, there's charisma aplenty here. Bernstein conducts Brahms with the same commitment he brings to Mahler, and the nY Phil. plays its heart out, especially the first violin and horn, whose solos are inspiring. Tempos are all in the standard range, a minute faster than usual in every movement compared with Muti, Chailly, Jochum, and similar traditionalists. For me, if I set apart Furtwangler, Bernstein ranks with Karajan as the preeminent Brahms conductor, and that holds true for either the New York or Vienna cycle.

The filler here is the Serenade #2, recorded in less good sound at Avery Fisher Hall in 1966 (the symphony comes from Manhattan Center). Since it's scored without violins, this work can seem a bit melancholy and subdued. Rather than overcome that mood with his usual ebullience, Bernstein accentuates it--this is one of the more inward, quiet versions I've heard.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bernstein's Best Version Of Brahms' 1st Symphony, April 6, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 / Serenade No. 2 (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

Although sound quality purists might prefer Bernstein's later interpretation on Deustche Grammophon with the Vienna Philharmonic, others may find Bernstein's earlier recording with the New York Philharmonic far more exemplary. Bernstein's earlier interpretation is far less idiosyncratic than his later version; here he opts for brisk tempi with a performance that is as emotionally stirring as any I've heard from the likes of Haitink, Harnoncourt, Masur, or Sanderling. It may be the best recording of Brahms' 1st symphony from the 1960's, not including Szell's classic interpretation with the Cleveland Orchestra (Unfortunately I have not yet heard Szell's Brahms, but it is reputed to be one of the few in which a premier symphony orchestra plays Brahms' scores as though they were chamber music.). Bernstein's interpretation of Brahms' 1st Symphony is coupled with a fine performance of Serenade Number 2. Although I remain a fan of Bernstein's later Brahms cycle, this earlier version of Brahms' 1st symphony is undoubtedly much better.