Search - Various :: Brahms: Sextet No.1, Op 18

Not to be missed

10/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Decades ago I had this recording on vinyl. The stylus must have gone through the grooves because I played it so much. It was this recording that acquainted me with the Brahms Sextets and I have, of course, acquired others since then so it was really nostalgia that made me buy this one. There is still no one like Don Pablo who can turn such a limpid phrase and break your heart with four or five notes. This is great ensemble work with a wonderful balance, played masterfully by experienced chamber music musicians. That having been said, some of the criticisms of the previous reviewer are true. Casals was a groaner, as he is on this recording and on the Schumann concerto. He is not alone. Glenn Gould and Erroll Garner come to mind as similarly afflicted. Personally I find it endearing. I tried to hear the "loud talking" in the second and third movement and could not. Yes, the technical side of the recording leaves something to be desired, but it was, after all, recorded in 1952. It is one of the finest recordings of this work and historic to boot."

It was Casals moaning!!

07/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Casals was a famous moaner. I laughed out loud when I read the review complaining about the strange "moaning" sound. Any Casals fan thrills to the depths of his soul when he hears Casals' wonderful endearing moaning."

A Brahms masterpiece

03/01/1997

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Any classical buff will know that a recording of a major Romantic work with such performers as Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals is something NOT to be missed. The powerful sweeping emotion is evident, from the opening 'cello melody which Casals executes with such blissful abandon that one is immediately struck by the powerful nature of the piece. Unfortunately, due to the poor quality of the recording equipment of the time, there are several instances, usually when the music reaches a climax, when moaning can be clearly heard, whether it be from the performers or the individuals in the recording booth. It is a great disappointment that such a wonderful recording, full of passion, and that such a wonderful piece, full of emotion, becomes disrupted. Just as the music hits a brilliant climax, there is a loud, audible groaning of some sort, not to mention the continual talking in the background that can be heard throughout the second and third movements. Overall, if you really think that you can not be bothered by talking (not subtle, difficult to discern, but rather Loud and VERY apparent) then try this version of the Brahms sextet out. There are others with Ma, Stern, Tree and Laredo, in addition to the Amadeus' quartet's version, both of which are, quite naturally, different interpretations and unfortunately, not as expressive as this one. Another difficulty is the studio or recital hall where they perform. The accoustics are poor, and sound seems to be sucked away without resouning as it should with chamber music, allowing for a flowing, mellow feeling that is so much associated properly with Brahms. This is a good recording to buy at a reasonable cost (not many cd's are availible these days at $11.95 (us currency). However, if it is a piece you would want to hear clearly and without interruption, try another version. END"