Studio Masters

Сomposer: Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
Artist: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Riccardo Chailly
Title: Brahms – The Symphonies
Genre: Classical, Romantic
Label: © Decca is a Universal Music Company
Release Date: 2013/22 Sep. 2014
Recorded: 2012-2013, Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Length: 03:53:59
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 4087 kbps / 1080p / 23,976 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio: LPCM 2.0 / 96 kHz / 4608 kbps / 24-bit
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 2.0 / 96 kHz / 2608 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps)
Size: 22.41 GB

Following his 2011 landmark Beethoven symphonic cycle, Riccardo Chailly and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra return with new recordings of the complete Brahms symphonies as well as other orchestral works including overtures and the Haydn Variations.
The collection also features world premieres of two orchestrated piano intermezzi, and the nine Liebeslieder waltzes, the original first performance version of the Andante from Symphony No. 1 and the even rarer revised opening of the Fourth Symphony.
Since recording the Brahms symphonies 25 years ago, Chailly’s approach is radically rethought, re-examining the scores and the recorded interpretations of an earlier generation of conductors to bring a fresh, new and dramatic reading.

“For most listeners’ purposes, Riccardo Chailly’s set of Johannes Brahms’ four symphonies will seem standard-issue, with respectable and uncontroversial interpretations from an esteemed conductor, and rich and resonant performances by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Even in the choice of filler pieces, the set includes the three orchestral works that are usually packaged with the symphonies: the Tragic Overture, the Haydn Variations, and the Academic Festival Overture. However, this set offers welcome suprises and extra value for the purchase. Two orchestral arrangements of the Interludes, Opp. 116 and 117 for piano, are included, along with instrumental versions of a handful of Liebeslieder Waltzes and three of the orchestrated Hungarian Dances, which may be incentives to listeners who are looking for a little more. Also included are Brahms’ original version of the Andante of the First Symphony and the alternate opening of the Fourth. But no one should invest in a set solely on the basis of these extras, however unusual they may be. Since first recording the cycle with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, where he offered a rather heavy-handed modern take on the symphonies, Chailly has gone back to an older, more historically informed style of playing Brahms that was familiar to conductors of the early 20th century. The music is lighter and more transparent, so in some ways, his recordings are sometimes reminiscent of classic performances by Bruno Walter, George Szell, and other revered conductors. For traditionalists, this is a fine set to own, especially if a fresh digital recording is needed.” –Blair Sanderson, AllMusic (more…)