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Musical Discussions
Topic: Brahms 4th Symphony in its own time

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Posted by Paul S on 02-22-2009
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Royal Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner conducting; Chesky CR6, 1988(originally recorded in London's Walthamstow Town Hall, October, 1962).

This is an excellent dub and transfer of a lovely (stereo) recording done just before Fritz Reiner passed on.  Of course this is a phenomenal symphony.  I note the performance because of the way Reiner takes charge of this elite orchestra, which he quickly terrorizes out of a creamy, cadenced reverie and into his own amazing vision of this noble work.  It takes Reiner more than a few measures to get the best of these professionals, but once he does, the piece takes off, and soon the orchestra senses what's going on, and they let go, and the piece continues as truly worthy of the score and the talent invloved, both.

Especially nice here is Reiner's "organic" sense of time, and the way he shifts signatures subtly according to the themes and sections in question, and the way he overlaps both sections and varying time signatures works wonderful effects here, creating amazing, 4-D textures as well as sustaining a high level of rhythmic interest, not to mention the music itself, which is incredibly beautiful, on the face of it.

Listening to music like this is for me one of life's greatest luxuries, and it is also very necessary for my own sense of well being.

Paul S

Posted by montepilot on 11-20-2011
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Last night we attended a stellar performance of Brahms 4th at Jordan Hall in Boston. It was preceded by Brahms 1st piano concerto which I found lackluster and uninspiring.  I was prepared for a dull second half of the evening.  This Brahms 4th with Zander and Boston philhamonic was powerful and exhilarating from the first note to the last.  Paul S post reminded me I have the Reiner/Chicago/Chesky recording which I will must listen to soon.  I suspect it will be difficult to find a recording to match last nights performance.

Rgs.

Montepilot


Posted by Romy the Cat on 11-20-2011
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I am sure in a week or two it will be broadcast over WCRB at 3MP on Sunday. 

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