Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Tragic Overture; Alto Rhapsody

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Tragic Overture; Alto Rhapsody

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Tragic Overture; Alto Rhapsody
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CD Details

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Conductor: Otto Klemperer
Performer: Christa Ludwig
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra of London
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 1999-06-08
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:
  1. Tragic Overture, Op.81
  2. Alto-Rhapsody, Op.53 - Christa Ludwig
  3. I: Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
  4. II: Andante Sostenuto
  5. III: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
  6. IV: Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo Ma Con Brio

Music reviews of Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Tragic Overture; Alto Rhapsody

Music Review: A great performance, but a little too steady-as-she-goes
Rating: 5 Stars

Because the terms 'monumental' and 'granitic' have been applied so often to Klemperer, they get repeated endlessly. In some ways his Brahms First may sound like that (I've used the same words), but on closer listening, the second motto in the first movement, for example, is rather languid and soft. Klemperer leads with strength and steadiness, but I can't agree with reviewers who claim he is hammering home the first movement or driving the tempo. Just listen to truly monumental interpretations like a ahndful from Furtwangler or two from Giulini (on DG and Profil). Klemperer has tremendous integrity, but he can rely too much on 'steady as she goes' where othrs find more passion and expressive flexibility.

Having said that, the slow movement here is a touchstone for Klemperer's greatness; it moves along with such authority and inner life, such severe control merged with real emotion, that one despairs of ever conductors like him again. The Scherzo is a bit of a surprise--it's one of the fastest on disc at 4:42 min. and full of good humor. The finale is also fast at 16 min., and anyone expecting ponderousness (or granite) will find Klemperer to be surprisingly songful in the famous main theme. In any event, this is a great First that speaks for itself, but I thought I'd clear the air of a few cobwebs.

The fillwers here are if anything better. The sumphony dates from recording sessions in 1956-57, the Tragic Over. from 1957, and the Alto Rhapsody with Christa Ludwig from 1962. The overture is written in complete sonata form, and Klemperer gives itthe stature of a symphonic movement, along with dramatic thrust and weight. The Alto Rhapsody is a classic, with impeccabe choral work and Ludwig at her best -- I think this is her finest performance of the work on disc, a reading worthy to stand beside Janet Baker's and Kathleen Ferrier's. In all three works Klemperer's tempos are only a fraction slower than the norm, and EMI's analog sound holds up beauituflly in the latest remastering.
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