Search - Johannes Brahms, Leonard Bernstein, Otto Modersohn :: Brahms: Symphonie No. 2; Akademische Festouvertüre

Simply great!!

Juan Jose Braham | Queretaro, Qro. Mexico | 10/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was really shocked when I saw David Hurwitz review of this CD. I have listened to it for two years and I just love it. It may indeed be a little slow on some parts, but the passion with which Bernstein plays Brahms (and specially this symphony) is unsurpassed. The second movement is simply the best interpretation I have listened to, with such passion you can't believe it! I highly recommend it."

Excellent!

Juan Jose Braham | 09/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Hurwitz seems to be wrong again--this is a fine recording of Brahms's second symphony. The playing of the Vienna Philharmonic is unsurpassed for its beauty, and Bernstein calls attention to many details that are hidden in other performances. This is a very chamber-like interpretation of Brahms. It is true that the opening movement is much longer than you hear on most recordings (although it's about the same length as Abbado's widely-praised version), but Bernstein holds everything together and brings out the shape of the musical phrases in a way that is utterly convincing. The second movement is the most beautiful I've heard. In the third, Bernstein brings out the pizzicato passages very nicely. The fourth is electrifying! The slightly slower tempo causes the final bars to be that much more intense. All in all, this recording is crisp and full of delightful little moments, not just a slick run-through like Karajan sometimes was guilty of (as much as I love his work). Perhaps the critics don't like this version, but I think you'll really be missing out if you believe what they're saying. Give Bernstein a try!"

A revelatory Brahms 2nd

Michael Bernstein | Coulterville, California United States | 04/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is not your typical Brahms 2nd. Bernstein, unlike in his conventional earlier Sony recording - which is outstanding, by the way - at this later stage in his career saw this symphony as a bridge between the symphonies of Beethoven and those of Bruckner. The scale of the work is enormously expanded, compared to usual performances, and the work benefits in three ways: first (and foremost), it achieves a monumental, epic quality. Second, all the lush Brahms' lyricism is gloriously elicited. Third all of Brahms' details are clearly brought out.



This might not be the version you first turn to, but it is one that will leave you with a greater knowledge of the music than you would otherwise have.



This later Bernstein approach to conducting didn't always work, as in his DG recording of Brahms 3rd. But this 2nd is an amazing success."