Brahms: Symphony No. 1, Tragic Overture

Album review

Anyone familiar with the mixed results of live recordings might raise an eyebrow over LSO Live's claims to capture exceptional performances by the finest musicians with superior sound quality. Can it all be true? If this disc is any measure of the label's success, then the answer is definitely yes. Bernard Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra deliver a first-rate performance of Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C minor: formally balanced, rich in detail, riveting in attack, and satisfying in emotional depth. The excitement generated in live performance is tangible in the performers' responsiveness and spontaneity, and there are no glaring miscues or mistakes resulting from their abundant enthusiasm. Best of all, there is a cohesion that comes from the ensemble's concentration in the moment, not as a by-product of clever editing. Similarly, Brahms' Tragic Overture is well-shaped, acutely rhythmic, and energetic due to the close attention paid in the concert setting. Haitink's tempi might be a little slower than customary, but aside from that one quibble, the performance is tight and compelling. Recorded in May 2003 at the Barbican, London, using the high-density Direct Stream Digital system, the sound is clear and warm, with none of the fuzziness or background noises often found in live recordings.
© TiVo