Product Description

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 18-JAN-1994

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 68: 1. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro - Meno allegro
2. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 68: 2. Andante sostenuto
3. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 68: 3. Un poco allegretto grazioso
4. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor, Op. 68: 4. Adagio - Piu andante - Allegro non troppo
5. SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN F, OP. 90: 1. Allegro con brio
6. SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN F, OP. 90: 2. Andante
7. SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN F, OP. 90: 3. Poco allegretto
8. SYMPHONY NO. 3 IN F, OP. 90: 4. Allegro

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 73: 1. Allegro non troppo
2. Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 73: 2. Adagio non troppo
3. Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 73: 3. Allegretto grazioso (Quasi andantino)
4. Symphony No. 2 In D, Op. 73: 4. Allegro con spirito
5. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: 1. Allegro non troppo
6. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: 2. Andante moderato
7. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: 3. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto - Tempo I
8. Symphony No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 98: 4. Allegro energico e passionato - Piu allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #194729 in Music
• Brand: SWALLISCH/VIENNA SYM
• Released on: 1994-01-18
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Amazon.com
Wolfgang Sawallisch has not been lucky in Brahms. Although a good value at two discs for the price of one, these performances are really nothing special. The Vienna Symphony is not the Vienna Philharmonic, and though they improved under Eliahu Inbal, they were a distinctly second-rate group when these recordings were made. Sawallisch himself offers no special insights that lend his Brahms any particular distinction. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Not Bad, But Not Memorable
These are variable performances, ranging from fair to good. Most notable for its absence is a feel for the grand scale, which, if present, might have imparted a sense of stature to Sawallisch's readings. This is especially true of Brahms' First. Interestingly, early in the last movement, the horn call that follows the rushing pizzicati and the crashing chord comes through broadly, smoothly and musically, but after that, things proceed in rather pedestrian fashion. The quickening of the pace near the end lacks real drive and excitement, and the final chord ends on somewhat of an undervitalized note. For outstanding Firsts, go to Van Beinum, (if you can find his stereo Concertgebouw recording), Klemperer/Philharmonia and Walter with the Columbia Symphony. In the Second Symphony, there are some areas of untidy ensemble work. Also, there are moments when Sawallisch's characterization leaves something to be desired. In sum, nothing special. Eugen Jochum's wonderfully shaped Berlin Philharmonic reading (mono), Bruno Walter's eloquent Columbia Symphony and New York Philharmonic (mono) versions, Carl Schuricht's tuneful, relaxed presentation with the SDRSO and Felix Weingarner's lyrical account stand out here. Sawallisch's Brahms Third is his best of the lot. There's little that seems to interfere with what is basically a pretty fine performance. The close of the last movement could have been a little more opulent. The most special Third, however, is Jochum's (again, from his mono Berlin Philharmonic set). His later stereo version with the London Phiharmonic, George Szell's presentation with the Cleveland Orchestra and Weingartner's lively and tuneful offering are also very fine. In the first movement of the Fourth Symphony, there is some unevenness in the flow of the music, and the massed strings of the Vienna Symphony occasionally sound a bit frayed. The playing in the second, third and fourth movements is rather routine. Brahms' great melodies really do not soar. Cream of the crop here are the autumnal Walter, the sweeping Klemperer, the solidly musical Reiner, the taut, yet lyrical Weingartner and the warmly expressive Abendroth. For those who want to go with the same conductor for the Four Brahms Symphonies, my first choices are the collections of Eugen Jochum with the Berlin Philharmonic on DGG's "Originals" (mono only), Felix Weingartner (also in mono on EMI) and Bruno Walter with the Columbia Symphony (individual discs on Sony). Also very fine is Klemperer's Philharmonia/EMI set.

Tough-Minded, Warm-Hearted Brahms at a Bargain Price
These performances were recorded in analog stereo in Vienna between 1959 and 1963 and, by and large, they've earned only tepid praise from the English and American musical press. For the life of me, I don't understand why. Well, maybe I can guess. Wolfgang Sawallisch is not the sort of Brahms conductor to go in for showy dramatics or a plush, luxurious sound. So if you're that kind of Brahms listener (as I am, on some days!), you'll probably want to stay away from this set. On the other hand if you like your Brahms lean and trenchantly articulated, Sawallisch is a front line contender, right up there with Brahmsians like Weingartner and Szell, if not Toscanini. If I prefer Sawallisch to Weingartner and Toscanini, it's probably because the sound of the Vienna Symphony somewhat softens the contours of Sawallisch's performances so that they achieve a marvelous balance between intellectual rigor and lyric sentiment. (Szell's recordings are in a special category because of the sheer quality of playing by his phenomenal Cleveland Orchestra.) Sound quality is very good, considering the date of the recordings, and the price is quite wonderful. (All four symphonies are contained on two discs and at a budget price!) Sawallisch recorded another Brahms cycle just a few years ago for EMI/Angel and these digital recordings (with the London Philharmonic) are now available as three single CD reissues on the Seraphim label. But the earlier Philips two-fer represents better value, not just because of price but also because the Vienna Symphony consistently plays better than the surprisingly raw and rough-sounding London orchestra.

A refreshing approach, but underplayed
There are so many bargain two-fers of the Brahms symphonies, including stupendous readings from Karajan, Walter, and Toscanini, that price issn't the attraction here. Nor is orchestral finesse and power: the Vienna Sym. was a woebegone ensemble for decdes and manages to sound good here but no better. The real attraction has to be Sawallisch's insights into Brahms.

His main notion is that Brhams should sound lean, brisk, and fresh, much the same approach Sawallishc took in his notable recordings of Schumann for EMI. This is Brahms for springtime. As such, it's quite pleasant, but Sawallisch lacks conviciton, and where the music struggles and strives, he relaxes the tension too much. Even so, within its limits this is a pretty good listening experience.