Search - Johannes Brahms, Bernard Haitink, London Symphony Orchestra :: Brahms: Symphony No. 2; Double Concerto

Best Performance of Brahms 2nd Symphony and Double Concerto

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"LSO Live and the London Symphony pay ample homage not only to Brahms but also to distinguished Dutch conductor Bernard Haitink in the first of two recent releases of Brahms symphonies. Without question this is the best live recording of the Brahms 2nd Symphony I have heard, easily eclipsing Kurt Masur's acclaimed account with the New York Philharmonic recorded nearly a decade ago by Teldec. It is also Haitink's finest recording of this work, which he has recorded previously with both the Royal Concertgebouw and Boston Symphony orchestras. Haitink does a wonderful job emphasizing the textural richness of Brahms' score, while keeping the orchestra playing well at a very brisk tempo. However, the real treasure on this recording is the excellent performance of the Double Concerto by the London Symphony's Concertmaster and Principal Cellist which opens this CD. Theirs is a vibrant, rhapsodic performance which compares quite well - indeed I think may be better - than the recent Deutsche Grammophon recording featuring violinist Gil Shaham with Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. Once again the orchestra plays with much intensity and warmth, led ably by Haitink. Without a doubt this is one of the best LSO Live recordings I have heard, and one which should please long-time admirers of Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra as well as Brahms fans."

A light-handed performance at mid-price, in excellent sound

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The LSO Live label used to be bargain priced, but now it's gone up to mid-price. The sonics are quite good, despite the difficult venue of the Barbican Center in north London. This Brahms Second is lighter and more alert than Haitink's last go with the Boston Sym. on Philips. He does not see Brahms in the profound, conflicted, passionate terms of, say, a Bernstein or Furtwangler. In his smoother, at times sunny approach, Haitink has found a viable way to interpret the Brahms Second, the most pastoral of the four symphonies. The LSO plays suavely, with beautiful balance of chords and instrumental voices.



The late Double Concerto makes for an odd pairing, since it is mysterious, inward, at times gloomy, and not remotely pastoral. Haitink calls on the orchestra's first-desk cello and concertmaster rather than spotlighting two famous virtuosos. Both play very expressively, without undue weight or seriousness. I especially admired the gorgeous tone of both violin and cello, sumptuously caught by the engineers. For all its virtues, this performance could use more passion and distinctiveness, but it joins the Second Sym. to make up a polished and enjoyable CD, if not exctly an essential one."

Peerless Brahms

Matt | London | 02/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 4th movement of the 2nd symphony exemplifies the exhilarating and breathtaking verve with which the LSO customarily play these days, but the gentle lilt of the 3rd movement, the edgy beauty of the 2nd and the nobility of the 1st all equally impress. This performance, under Haitink's sure yet refreshing guide, is truly magnificent. The Double Concerto is barely less brilliant, with excellent integration of the music between soloists and orchestra (hardly surprising perhaps when those soloists are the LSO's leader and principal cellist) and really spicy playing by all. I cannot praise this CD enough."