Dave
Junior Member
Posts: 29 
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Post by Dave on Jul 13, 2008 12:41:28 GMT 1
Believe it or not, I don't actually own a Karajan Brahms symphony cycle. It's something I'm looking to rectify. However, I don't know which one to go for. DG have the mid-70s set in their lower price 'Doubles' range, while the late 80s set (but with the 4th from the 70s, for some reason) is part of the HvK Series that came out a few years ago. And I gather there's a 50s set with the Philharmonia, though I haven't heard any of that. And there's always the idea of buying them individually. However, I was also pondering something I have done before with other DVDs; ripping the sound from recorded concert DVDs that I have bought. And I was wondering how the newish DVD Brahms DVDs hold up against the actual audio cycles, as well as which of them you prefer. That way, I'd get the concert and some CDs for my car  Thanks. |
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lee
Senior Member
Posts: 187
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Post by lee on Jul 13, 2008 21:34:22 GMT 1
Hi Dave,
I hope that you are well. Difficult question, very difficult. All of Karajan's Brahms recordings offer something unique, from the earliest - the first symphony with the Concertgebouw in 1943 and the second from Vienna in 1949 - to the final DG Digital cycle, although common critical opinion would state the final recordings of the third and fourth aren't especially successful (it is an opinion with which I agree, although to be fair other forum members have expressed their admiration of them, especially with the Digital fourth). If the house was burning though and I only had time to snatch one recording of each, these would be the ones I would take:
Symphony No 1 - BPO 1987 (DG Digital)
Symphony No 2 - BPO 1986 (DG Digital)
Symphony No 3 - BPO 1977 (DG)
Symphony No 4 - BPO 1977 (DG)
(Of course, you can always get these recordings of the first and second on the Sony DVDs too, although I've yet to see these performances).
The DG/Unitlel cycle from 1973 is very fine too, both visually and sonically, and could be the answer to your dilemma. However, this is a very good question and I look forward to seeing other forum members suggestions as to which of Karajan's various recordings of the Brahms symphonies are their favourites.
With best regards, Lee
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Dave
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by Dave on Jul 20, 2008 18:42:17 GMT 1
Thanks for the reply, Lee. Sorry for the delay in getting back to your. Your comments are most appriciated. I have been trying to get all the Karajan Brahms I can from the library system - just so I can compare and contrast - but their selection is pathetic; in contrast to what they stock for nearly every other major composer. I'm going to keep hunting around though. Further comments would be welcome.
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Jul 20, 2008 20:15:00 GMT 1
Hi Dave The DG/Unitlel cycle from 1973 is very fine too, both visually and sonically, and could be the answer to your dilemma. However, this is a very good question and I look forward to seeing other forum members suggestions as to which of Karajan's various recordings of the Brahms symphonies are their favourites. With best regards, Lee Hello Dave! If I may express my point of view...late...I expected to give you an opinion, because first I wanted to listen to the versions that I have. One proposed by Lee to me like a lot ( Lee is very prepared and he knows how to give advice very exhaustive). However, you don't settle on a single version, because the Maestro was magnificent when he conducted Brahms, which is defined one of the best Sinfonisti too often omitted from great interpreters! You have reason, Dave, to be perplexed about choosing, and given very high quality offered by Herbert von Karajan, only you can choose, after having listened to various interpretations, from the most ancient executions. This has always been my method! *****************************************************************************Ciao Rosy |
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Aug 7, 2008 19:24:15 GMT 1
Hello Dave! I's very beautiful your constant presence in the Forum, especially in these summer months, when, usually, people do other things; this means that your passion for music is very strong! I wrote to you because I'd like to know if you've bought Brahams' Symphonies. In these days I listened and watched with great pleasure the 1973 DVD Cycle, so I asked myself what could have been your choice ******************** Thank you Rosy |
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Dave
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by Dave on Aug 8, 2008 18:23:58 GMT 1
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Post by ~Linda~ on Aug 8, 2008 18:54:28 GMT 1
Hello Dave You are correct. The Youtube film is from the 1973 Unitel cycle. Interestingly this was the first Karajan film that I purchased on Laserdisc in 1991 and it was this interpretation that made me explore the Maestro's work further: www.karajan.co.uk/visitor.htmlHaving said that, I now tend to play the Sony 1987 version as my favourite. Best Wishes Linda |
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Dave
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by Dave on Aug 9, 2008 23:42:13 GMT 1
Thanks for the confirmation, Linda. Off I go to find the set somewhere in the UK library system!
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Aug 10, 2008 16:17:20 GMT 1
HI Dave!,
I'm glad of your choice, I hope you'll find DVDs now available! Brahms' Symphonies by DG-Unitel 1973 , is my favorite version, because there is perfect agreement between gesture and musical phrase. Of course, this is the characteristic of the Maestro, but sometimes, I noticed how incredible is the fusion of gesture with the music, and consequently the extreme naturalness of interpretation. You'll notice that Maestro stresses finely steps ("passaggi") with great care, always without force, without excesses, not renouncing the pathos expressed with strength and fervor, while remaining inside harmony very difficult to match!
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My favorite Brahms' Symphonies, or those that I listen more often, are No. 3 and No. 4. I pray you note the movements of his hands and his wrists in No. 3; in the third mov., the sound he gets is extremely sweet and intense; fluid as flow of water from a stream!
I hope that you tell me your impression
Thank you
Rosy
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Aug 13, 2008 17:53:14 GMT 1
HI All! ...still about Brahms. A few days ago, I looked at "You Tube" clip of Karajan- Brahms No. 3 , live in Tokyo, 1981. I was greatly impressed of Karajan interpretation: I know what he reaches high results with certain composers; but a softness passionate and hightly conscious of being now on high peaks, I was drawn heavily! Does someone know if there are records? it.youtube.com/watch?v=ViLfcmIAxRo********************************************************************************Thank you very much! Rosy |
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john
Senior Member
Posts: 119
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Post by john on Aug 14, 2008 21:42:52 GMT 1
Hi Rosy
I looked on YouTube regarding the Brahms 3rd from 1981, this was a 'live' concert including the Brahms 1st symphony in Tokyo 30th October 1981.
The concert was probably televised and the YouTube clip is a video of the concert of which I have a copy transferred to DVD.
There are no commercial DVDs available of any of the concerts given in Japan by Karajan apart from some early NHK discs of the late 1950s tours.
With regard to You Tube, there are a number of unusual clips of Karajan, one I found particularly interesting is the interveiw (in english) with Seiji Ozawa, I have never seen this before and I can't recall it being on any of the DVDs, does anyone have any further info on this?
John
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Aug 14, 2008 23:41:53 GMT 1
Hello John, Thank you for your kind information. You've been really lucky to have had the opportunity to record the concert! J've the old DVDs recordered in Japan. Regarding the clip Karajan Brahms Symphony No. 3, live in Tokyo, 1981, I will ask to Rossinicrescendo, since J'm a member of "You Tube"°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° Rosy |
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Post by ~Linda~ on Aug 15, 2008 11:32:28 GMT 1
one I found particularly interesting is the interveiw (in english) with Seiji Ozawa, I have never seen this before and I can't recall it being on any of the DVDs, does anyone have any further info on this? Hello John Yes, I was intrigued by this one and immediately downloaded it. When Rosy posted the link to the 1981 Brahms concert I had a look around You Tube and, like you, found many Karajan film clips. As you know, most of them are familiar to us but this has prompted me to direct other Forum members to the following page of the website: www.karajan.co.uk/films.htmlHere are listed all the Karajan films with which I am familiar, although, as always, any new information is welcome! Best wishes Linda |
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Rosy
Senior Member
Posts: 540
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Post by Rosy on Aug 15, 2008 18:28:55 GMT 1
Hi Rosy With regard to You Tube, there are a number of unusual clips of Karajan, one I found particularly interesting is the interveiw (in english) with Seiji Ozawa, I have never seen this before and I can't recall it being on any of the DVDs, does anyone have any further info on this? John Linda and John, I'll try to ask Rossinicrescendo also information about clip Karajan with Ozawa. But usually You Tube's members don't respond to messages, even to me that I've membership to Rossinicrescendo channel. I like that clip; have you notice the look very lively of Karajan? His eyes are "birichini". ************************** Please, can you do me a summary of their speeches? Without subtitles I cannot understand everything! Thank you very much! Rosy |
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