In search of lost inspiration, I have been listening to numerous recordings. I started my musical pilgrimage with the Beethoven symphonies conducted by George Szell, Otto Klemperer, Bruno Walter and Wilhelm Furtwängler. As you can tell, I am a big fan of older recordings. I find that the style of playing is greatly audacious, yet hardly pretentious. Not to be missed, the extremely crisp articulation is also an “ear opener,” especially the ones by Szell and Walter. As I was surveying the symphonic music of Beethoven, my musical curiosity led me into the symphonic music of Johannes Brahms; especially the symphonies.
I was so lucky to perform Brahms’s Second Symphony last summer at a music festival. Without this experience, I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to closely listen to this masterwork. It is quite embarrassing to say that I had not listened to Brahms’s Second Symphony until last summer — more precisely, I didn’t pay a close attention before. While learning the piece, I probably listened to 5 to 6 different recordings; eventually I ended up with Daniel Barenboim’s live recording with the Staatskappelle Berlin. Something about this recording brings me joy every time I listen to it: the rich expression and the well resonating orchestral sound, but without any musical sacrifice in execution. Especially in the final movement, the driving force towards the end is quite spectacular. I would have stood up and started clapping if I were listening to this in person.
Since I am obsessed with discovering hidden gems from the 20th century, I began my Brahmsian journey with older recordings. I started with Carlos Kleiber’s legendary recording of the Fourth Symphony with Wiener Philharmoniker. Several friends have recommended me this album; and I finally listened to this. I have acquired this CD from a library giveaway years ago, and it finally had its moment to shine again. This has quickly become my go-to Brahms 4 recording. Everything is so well balanced ... so well balanced that I was reminded by a story from my childhood: The Three Bears, where a girl named Goldilocks tastes three different bowls of porridge and finds that she prefers porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold, but has just the right temperature. My listening experience of this album was so satisfying — felt like climbing up the mountain of a higher art form. I know this can be a very controversial statement because everyone could have a very different musical experience to mine, and also what I musically believe is not absolute. Tastes, furthermore, tend to change over time. But at least for now, I have been enjoying listening to Kleiber’s recording very much.
Years ago, I heard Charles Münch’s recording of the First Symphony with the Orchestre de Paris. I don’t know if this would be a good description; I felt like hearing a roaring lion with charisma and dignity. Having this fond recollection of Münch’s interpretation in my mind, I inserted the recording of the Second and Fourth Symphonies with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to my stereo. I definitely hear “the roaring lion” in this album as well, even though the two orchestras have very different styles of playing. If the Orchestre de Paris’s approach has down-to-earth honesty, the Boston Symphony’s take has edge-of-seat crispness. While listening to the BSO recording, I started wondering if two totally different concepts can co-exist. As far as I can verbally express Brahms’s music, I personally think his music brings out the feeling of nostalgia and longing from the deepest part of my heart. In addition to the nostalgic feelings, I sense joyful passion. I find that these two concepts are on the opposite sides of emotional spectrum, but somehow there’s an invisible string holding them together. (opposite concepts in words; e.g. joyful tear or bittersweetness)
I hope that you enjoyed reading my own experience of entering the week of Brahms Symphonies. I’ve included below a list of some of my favorite Brahms Symphony recordings. I sincerely wish that you can also find the joy of appreciating the Brahms Symphonies as I do.
Recommendations:
Complete Symphonies:
Sergiu Celibidache and Münchener Philharmoniker
Carlo Maria Giulini and Wiener Philharmoniker
Marek Janowski and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
James Levine and Wiener Philharmoniker
George Szell and Cleveland Orchesetra
Bruno Walter and Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Günter Wand and NDR-Sinfonieorchester