Search - Brahms, Andre Previn, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Brahms: Symphony No. 4, Academic Festival Overture

Superb

David Saemann | 03/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is as beautifully played a Brahms 4th as I have ever heard. I would say it is even better played than the more acerbic Carlos Kleiber/Vienna Philharmonic version. It is a deeply tragic interpretation of the Symphony. It is hard to tell whether the orchestra itself or the sound engineers emphasized the bass response in this recording, but the overall sound of the orchestra is dark and moody. That being said, there is no want of energy in the performance. Previn has conducted this piece on tour with the Dresden Staatskapele, so it's probably fair to say that he has a special feeling for it. You might be reminded of his interpretation of the first three movements of Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony, given the beauty of the orchestral textures and the mood of deep sadness. The overture is played very well, with a suitable sense of jubilation. Throughout, Telarc's sound is full and detailed. An excellent disc. Who says you have to be an old German to conduct Brahms? Although, Previn has come a long way from his rather indifferent reading of Brahms's Second Symphony on an old Pittsburgh Symphony telecast."