# Suggest a set of Brahms symphonies **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 19, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652 "2009-04-19T20:57:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/1 "2009-04-19T20:57:16Z")
I’ve been blown away by this DVD of Bernstein conducting Brahms’ symphonies 1 and 3 with the Israel Philharmonic from 1978. Yet, most of the Amazon reviews suggest that Bernstein can’t conduct Brahms and the recordings are lousy. OK, I’m not a Brahms expert but I’d like to add a set of his symphonies to my collection. What set would you suggest? I’m taking a look at Karajan’s set with the Berlin Philharmonic but I think Kleiber’s collection with the Vienna Philharmonic might also be a good choice. I love Kleiber’s Beethoven symphonies but Karajan is always a reliable choice with German composers. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/2 "2009-04-19T21:29:27Z")
The two recordings I know best are the [Georg Solti](http://www.amazon.com/Johannes-Brahms-Symphonies/dp/B0000041Z5)complete set. Of the [Abbado](http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Symphonies-Overtures-Variations-Philharmonic/dp/B0000012V3) set, I only have the 2nd Symphony, but I love his interpretation. One of these days, I have to pick up the rest… I’ve heard the Bernstein back in the '80s - I don’t remember hating it, but I don’t remember particularly loving it, either. Solti is too stodgy for some people’s tastes; the solidity is what I admire about the Solti recording. That, and the fact that the brass section of the Chicago Symphony at that time had the most exquisite beauty of tone. Also, I know you didn’t ask, but the Amadeus Quartet (plus guests) recording of the [complete Quintets and Sextets](http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Quintets-Sextets-Martin-Lovett/dp/B000001G8J) is a must-have. This is Brahms at his absolute best, and they have captured the restless, longing spirit of his chamber music beautifully. Something from this recording gets played at least once a month chez moi. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/3 "2009-04-19T21:46:05Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Also, I know you didn’t ask, but the Amadeus Quartet (plus guests) recording of the [complete Quintets and Sextets](http://www.amazon.com/Brahms-Quintets-Sextets-Martin-Lovett/dp/B000001G8J) is a must-have. This is Brahms at his absolute best, and they have captured the restless, longing spirit of his chamber music beautifully. Something from this recording gets played at least once a month chez moi. I love chamber music and any good suggestions are welcome. I’ve been trying to expand my musical horizons lately. I’ve been listening to more Brahms and Mendelssohn as well as some of the more obscure composers from the Baroque and Classical eras. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/4 "2009-04-19T23:59:58Z")
Of the very few versions of the symphonies that I am familiar with, my favorite is the set by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/5 "2009-04-20T02:22:03Z")
I have the Karajan set with the Berlin Phil, and I think it’s fantastic. I confess, I haven’t done much direct comparison of different conductors doing Brahms. I had the Szell on vinyl LPs in the long ago, and I like the Karajan better. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/6 "2009-04-20T06:25:05Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Of the very few versions of the symphonies that I am familiar with, my favorite is the set by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. Yes, you can’t beat Szell/Cleveland at just about everything they recorded. There’s also a great set by Klemperer and the Philharmonia. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/7 "2009-04-20T06:38:29Z")
Szell/Cleveland Wand/North German Radio Abbado/Berlin Phil Walter/Columbia Symphony And actually, Bernstein’s with Vienna is terrific (except maybe for No. 3). ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-set-of-brahms-symphonies/493652/8 "2009-04-20T22:47:06Z")
Looks like there are two Karajan sets available. However, they’re both under 10.00 if I buy the Mp3 download. One set from the late 1970s and the other is from the 1980s. I don’t see the Szell available as a set on Amazon. The Abbado set shows over a 100 dollar price, so that’s out.