Search - Johannes Brahms, Bruno Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra :: Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture
Johannes Brahms, Bruno Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #1

The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained it to do the right things, and it responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less-than-st...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Johannes Brahms, Bruno Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Title: Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony
Original Release Date: 1/1/1988
Re-Release Date: 10/31/1995
Album Type: Original recording reissued
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 074646447024, 007464644702

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained it to do the right things, and it responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less-than-stellar ensemble work, there is also some very fine first-desk playing, and the performances as a whole are marked by a natural feeling of movement, phrasing, and expression. Walter's approach to the music is kindly, caring, wonderfully whole--sunny but not overly brilliant, warm but not overly heated, and sincere but not overly impassioned. Anyone who thinks that means the conductor was slow, shapeless, or indulgent should listen. There is thrust here, and plenty of momentum. The recordings, made between 1959 and 1961, are closely miked and somewhat bass-heavy, but have benefited immensely from Sony's state-of-the-art remastering. Considering the vintage, the sound is wonderfully alive and direct. --Ted Libbey
 

CD Reviews

Terrific purchase
jrsy | 03/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Walter is a legendary conductor, and these recordings have excellent sound quality and presence. The CD is nearly filled with three "Classical Canon" pieces. You get all this for $10. Highly recommended, for both serious collectors and anyone with even a passing interest in Classical Music."
Walter: Brahms 1st Haydn Variations Academic Festival
David B. Teague | 05/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, these are three of my favorites, and Brahms is my favorite composer. Brahms was deeply concerned that he followed Beethoven. He needed no concern. These are masterpieces. Their performance by Bruno Walter and the Columbia Symphony is also masterful. The technology for the initial recording is dated, the remastering was done with great care. The result is a really great recording."
A classic Edition!
GreatTracks | Chantilly, VA USA | 01/27/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"After comparing different versions of the Academic Festival Overture, Bruno Walter's rendition is the best. Bright, with a noticible faster tempo than other versions, yet still dynamic and powerful in all the right places."