Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
This disc contains the final two symphonies of Johannes Brahms, completing Hänssler's set featuring longstanding conducting superstar Michael Gielen. Hänssler's previous releases of the First and Second symphonies were mastered from recordings that date from 1995 and 2005, respectively. The Third and Fourth symphonies, featured here, have been issued from somewhat earlier performances that date from 1993 and 1989.
There is a great deal to like about this disc. The Third Symphony begins impressively enough; the two colossal opening chords feel full and energized but not overpowered, and the strings match character with a succulent and sweet tone throughout. Gielen achieves a wonderful sense of phrasing in the gorgeously lyrical third movement and doesn't -- like many conductors -- gloss over any of the beautiful inner voices. Quite the contrary, in fact: Gielen's strength lies in his ability to impress details and elicit nuances from his dependable SWR Sinfonieorchester.
Now for the downsides, the majority of which materialize during the performance of the Fourth. That lovely, sweet sound the strings play with feels thin and lacking in depth of emotion here. Tempi feel rushed throughout (the Third suffers from this as well), and large-scale structures are noticeably absent. While Gielen seems to have the right idea in some places, he tends to overdo it. For instance, take the first eight bars of the Fourth's Passacaglia. In a noble attempt to connect and blend the brass chorale together, Gielen lends extra effort to create a subdued sound, sucking out all of the drama, the shock, and the passion in the process.
While the SWR Sinfonieorchester is a solid orchestra whose musicians play with considerable polish, it is difficult to compare them with the ranks of the Vienna or Berlin Philharmonic. There are occasional string blunders, the woodwinds seem out of balance at times, and the timpani sound is murky and out-of-sync. Dynamic contrasts are also lacking, creating a monochrome palette that prevents the orchestra from ever truly achieving any breathtaking moments. Although most certainly not breathtaking, this disc does have its merits. The problem lies in the numerous other recordings of these two masterworks with superior sound and performance. As such, this is a tough disc to recommend outside of the collector market.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (Johannes Brahms)
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 (Johannes Brahms)
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Johannes Brahms, Composer - Michael Gielen, Conductor - SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks, Orchestra, MainArtist
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Album review
This disc contains the final two symphonies of Johannes Brahms, completing Hänssler's set featuring longstanding conducting superstar Michael Gielen. Hänssler's previous releases of the First and Second symphonies were mastered from recordings that date from 1995 and 2005, respectively. The Third and Fourth symphonies, featured here, have been issued from somewhat earlier performances that date from 1993 and 1989.
There is a great deal to like about this disc. The Third Symphony begins impressively enough; the two colossal opening chords feel full and energized but not overpowered, and the strings match character with a succulent and sweet tone throughout. Gielen achieves a wonderful sense of phrasing in the gorgeously lyrical third movement and doesn't -- like many conductors -- gloss over any of the beautiful inner voices. Quite the contrary, in fact: Gielen's strength lies in his ability to impress details and elicit nuances from his dependable SWR Sinfonieorchester.
Now for the downsides, the majority of which materialize during the performance of the Fourth. That lovely, sweet sound the strings play with feels thin and lacking in depth of emotion here. Tempi feel rushed throughout (the Third suffers from this as well), and large-scale structures are noticeably absent. While Gielen seems to have the right idea in some places, he tends to overdo it. For instance, take the first eight bars of the Fourth's Passacaglia. In a noble attempt to connect and blend the brass chorale together, Gielen lends extra effort to create a subdued sound, sucking out all of the drama, the shock, and the passion in the process.
While the SWR Sinfonieorchester is a solid orchestra whose musicians play with considerable polish, it is difficult to compare them with the ranks of the Vienna or Berlin Philharmonic. There are occasional string blunders, the woodwinds seem out of balance at times, and the timpani sound is murky and out-of-sync. Dynamic contrasts are also lacking, creating a monochrome palette that prevents the orchestra from ever truly achieving any breathtaking moments. Although most certainly not breathtaking, this disc does have its merits. The problem lies in the numerous other recordings of these two masterworks with superior sound and performance. As such, this is a tough disc to recommend outside of the collector market.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 8 track(s)
- Total length: 01:13:33
- Main artists: SWR Sinfonieorchester des Südwestrundfunks Michael Gielen
- Composer: Johannes Brahms
- Label: SWR Classic
- Genre: Classical
(C) 2006 SWR Classic (P) 2006 SWR Classic
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.