BRAHMS: Symohonies Nos. 2 and 3 (Janowski)

$19.99 (SACD)

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Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (more info)
Performed by: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Johannes Brahms
Conducted by: Marek Janowski


1. I. Allegro non troppo - 19:02
2. II. Adagio ma non troppo, l'istesso ma gracioso - 9:13
3. III. Allegretto gracioso (quasi andantino) - Presto ma non assai - 5:24
4. IV. Allegro con spirito - 8:40


Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 (more info)
Performed by: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Johannes Brahms
Conducted by: Marek Janowski


5. I. Allegro con brio - 12:58
6. II. Andante - 8:11
7. III. Poco allegretto - 6:25
8. IV. Allegro - 8:54

Reviews

Is it heresy to not like Brahms? (Jan 19, 2008)
Reviewer:Jim Shine
I'm not a big fan of Brahms' orchestral music - it's hard to put my finger on what it is, it's just that the texture of it doesn't “sound right” in the way Beethoven or Mahler or Sibelius “sound right” - you know when there's something like a little flute trill and it just sounds like absolutely the right thing to have at that point, well I often don't feel that with... I'm not a big fan of Brahms' orchestral music - it's hard to put my finger on what it is, it's just that the texture of it doesn't “sound right” in the way Beethoven or Mahler or Sibelius “sound right” - you know when there's something like a little flute trill and it just sounds like absolutely the right thing to have at that point, well I often don't feel that with Brahms. Many will of course disagree, but there it is. Anyway, had I not been given a copy of this disc, I wouldn't have bought it - I have recordings of the symphonies already. So the test was, would Marek Janowski change my mind? My first reaction was no. Having been unimpressed by Symphony 2, I put on my Philadelphia/Ormandy recording as a comparison. A huge difference, thanks largely to the sound. The 60s recording is brash and full of body, while Pentatone's is smooth and to some extent homogenized, and significantly quieter. The end result is that Janowski's reading is more laid-back - which is a problem if like me you find the symphony rather dull to begin with. And yet, listening a bit more I found myself more receptive. Turning to Symphony 3, with an idea now of what to expect and with the volume cranked up a couple of notches, I rather enjoyed this one, although part of it is of course that I find it an inherently more enjoyable piece of music. Overall I'd give the album 3 and a half stars but I'm more inclined to mark up than down so 4 stars it is. If you don't have as many issues with the second symphony as I do then you'll probably like it more. (read more)