Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4; Haydn-Variations; Tragic Overture [BOX SET]

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Kurt Sanderling (Conductor), Dresden Staatskapelle (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Dresden Staatskapelle
• Conductor: Kurt Sanderling
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (April 16, 1995)
• 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: RCA
• ASIN: B000000FL6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,954 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
A thrilling Brahms cycle played by Germany's greatest orchestra under the baton of a legendary conductor. Do not confuse this set with Kurt Sanderling's later, less successful Brahms cycle on Capriccio. This is the one to get; it's just one more proof of the fact that there's no relationship between quality of performance and price. Even if you already have a decent selection of Brahms symphonies, you can afford to add this terrific set to your collection. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly superior to the sets from more glamorous conductors, June 8, 2000

By	Stan Vernooy (Henderson, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sanderling is less well-known in the US than others - Abbado, Karajan,
Bernstein, and many others. But no one has produced a more
consistently excellent set of Brahms symphonies than this....

Brahms
is my favorite composer, so I've heard lots of recordings of all four
of these symphonies. In my opinion, Sanderling's Third and Fourth are
better than any other recordings I have heard - and that includes
Szell, Walter, Abbado, and Kleiber's Fourth - all highly praised. The
Second, although it lacks the excitement and vigor of Kertesz or the
currently unavailable Steinberg, is as loving and beautiful as anyone
could make it. Only in the First Symphony do I find Sanderling
uncompetitive with the very best. His performance there just seems a
bit rough and scrappy for my taste. The sound is as good as you could
ask for. This set is one of the least known true jewels of the entire
catalog. If you love Brahms, then you MUST have it!

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, definitely a best buy, March 24, 1999

By	Gregory M. Zinkl (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While Barbirolli rules in Symphony #1, Sanderling's recording is still
quite wonderful. One must forgive the quavery horn solo in the
introduction to IV; but given that this is the one mar in the
performance, it's hardly worth mentioning. Such horn considerations
are more absent in the rest of the set, even in 3:III. Symphonies 2
and 3 are radiant (of course, Barbirolli is again to be recogned with
in 2 (his 3 is just awful, though), and Walter on Sony still dominates
in 3), and 4 is very exciting (although here Reiner on Chesky and
Kleiber on DG (tinny sound on the copy I heard) or Exclusive!
(brightly lit, but the Vienna warmth comes through well) are even
better.... You even get an exciting Tragic Overture, here brought off
very well, and a satisfying performance of the Haydn Variations. And
you get the wonderful Dresden string tone to wallow in. The
remastering and transfer to CD are fine. Another...set to look
out for, but I haven't heard yet (although the conductor has received
many raves) is Mandeal on Arte Nova with his Enescu orchestra.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, May 21, 2000

By	Gorky "freemark10" - See all my reviews

This complete Brahms Symphonies Cycle by Sanderling recorded in 1971
is certainly one of the best which we may find actually. The sound of
the Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra is simply magnificent and the
balance between strings and wind instruments perfect. We cannot avoid
comparison with the CSO under the baton of B.Walter which was also
memorable. The two last movements of the Third symphony and the entire
Fourth are amazing and outstanding, emotional! The final them in the
third has no equivalent, rhythm, sound, everything is magnificent;
Sanderling has done something genius there, and you do not need to be
an expert to see the difference. The Fourth is remarkable and
comparison with the famous C.Kleber version is equal, and without
doubt some of us could prefer the equilibrium & sound of the
Dresden Orchestra. I like very much the first movement and the emotion
passing in the second movement, but all of it is so nice! I have
three versions of the Fourth (Walter, Kleber, Sanderling) and this one
is my choice without hesitation. The same conclusion could be for the
third! To appreciate you need some difference, and the value is only
between the best choices: so happy to have them! Another advice: for
full benefits of listening such masterpiece, magnificent harmony of
sounds and romantism, use a good set of headphones, therefore you may
appreciate the performance Sanderling has achieved! The Second and
Third in the Walter Edition by Sony are also unique and a very good
choice!...