Karajan: Brahms – The Complete Symphonies (2 CD, FLAC)

Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Composer: Johannes Brahms
Audio CD
SPARS Code: A-D
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 690 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

# Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

# Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

# Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

# Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Excellent recording and interpretation

While maybe not the greatest interpreter of Brahms, Karajan delivers very well in this recording. All four symphonies have plenty of power and lyricism. The Berlin Philharmonic is excellent as always.
The first three symphonies are very good, though probably not the best recordings out there. I found some parts of the second and third to be mundane. Otherwise I have no complaints.
As for the fourth, this may actually be one of the best recordings of the symphony on record, especially the second movement.
I’m happy to recommend this set to anyone, though if you want the very best of the best, look at perhaps the Solti record.

Great Brahms

It’s taken years for me to appreciate the Brahms symphonies. I’ve always loved the piano concertos and violin concerto, but somehow the symphonies always seemed less tuneful and passionate to me. My opinion hasn’t changed in that regard; however, these symphonies contain a world of beautiful and effective music – I like them. The recordings I have previously listened to were primarily BBC productions. (BBC Music Magazine). BBC performances tend to be dull, stodgy, and rather gutless – I think it’s a British thing. Anyway, these performances are gorgeous, well-played, and well-recorded. I can find no technical issues with the recordings whatsoever, despite common complaints from listeners concerning DG engineering in that era. If you want Brahms symphonies, I don’t think you can beat these renditions – especially at this budget price.