Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhausorchester (Leipzig) – Brahms: The Symphonies (2013) [LINN FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Gewandhausorchester, Riccardo Chailly – Brahms: The Symphonies (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Time – 233:58 minutes | 4,41 GB
Official Digital Download – Source: LinnRecords.com | Covers & Digital Booklet

This comprehensive overview of Brahms’s orchestral works includes several rarities, among them world premieres of two piano intermezzi orchestrated by Paul Klengel (brother of the Gewandhaus’s long-standing principal cellist Julius Klengel) and the original first performance version of the Andante of Symphony No. 1 and the even rarer revised opening of the Fourth Symphony.

For most listeners’ purposes, Riccardo Chailly’s set of Johannes Brahms’ four symphonies will seem standard-issue, with respectable and uncontroversial interpretations from an esteemed conductor, and rich and resonant performances by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Even in the choice of filler pieces, the set includes the three orchestral works that are usually packaged with the symphonies: the Tragic Overture, the Haydn Variations, and the Academic Festival Overture. However, this set offers welcome suprises and extra value for the purchase. Two orchestral arrangements of the Interludes, Opp. 116 and 117 for piano, are included, along with instrumental versions of a handful of Liebeslieder Waltzes and three of the orchestrated Hungarian Dances, which may be incentives to listeners who are looking for a little more. Also included are Brahms’ original version of the Andante of the First Symphony and the alternate opening of the Fourth. But no one should invest in a set solely on the basis of these extras, however unusual they may be. Since first recording the cycle with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, where he offered a rather heavy-handed modern take on the symphonies, Chailly has gone back to an older, more historically informed style of playing Brahms that was familiar to conductors of the early 20th century. The music is lighter and more transparent, so in some ways, his recordings are sometimes reminiscent of classic performances by Bruno Walter, George Szell, and other revered conductors. For traditionalists, this is a fine set to own, especially if a fresh digital recording is needed.

Tracklist:
01 – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 – 1. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro – Meno allegro
02 – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 – 2. Andante sostenuto
03 – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 – 3. Un poco allegretto e grazioso
04 – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 – 4. Adagio – Piu andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Piu allegro
05 – Symphony No.3 in F, Op.90 – 1. Allegro con brio – Un poco sostenuto – Tempo I
06 – Symphony No.3 in F, Op.90 – 2. Andante
07 – Symphony No.3 in F, Op.90 – 3. Poco allegretto
08 – Symphony No.3 in F, Op.90 – 4. Allegro
09 – Symphony No.2 in D, Op.73 – 1. Allegro non troppo
10 – Symphony No.2 in D, Op.73 – 2. Adagio non troppo – L’istesso tempo, ma grazioso
11 – Symphony No.2 in D, Op.73 – 3. Allegretto grazioso ( Quasi andantino) – Presto ma non assai
12 – Symphony No.2 in D, Op.73 – 4. Allegro con spirito
13 – Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98 – I. Allegro non troppo
14 – Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98 – 2. Andante moderato
15 – Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98 – 3. Allegro giocoso – Poco meno presto – Tempo I
16 – Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98 – 4. Allegro energico e passionato – Piu allegro
17 – Symphony No.4 In E Minor, Op.98 – 1. Alternative opening
18 – Tragic Overture, Op. 81
19 – Fantasias (7 Piano Pieces), Op.116 – Arr. Paul Klengel – No.4 – Intermezzo in E major
20 – Intermezzi, Op.117 – Arr. Paul Klengel – No.1 – Intermezzo in E flat major
21 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Theme: ‘Chorale St. Antoni’
22 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation I: Poco piu animato
23 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation II: Piu vivace
24 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation III: Con moto
25 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation IV: Andante con moto
26 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation V: Vivace
27 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation VI: Vivace
28 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation VII: Grazioso
29 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Variation VIII: Presto non troppo
30 – Variations On A Theme By Haydn, Op.56a – Finale: Andante
31 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.1
32 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.2
33 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.4
34 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.6
35 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.5
36 – Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer, Op.65 – Orchestral Version – No.9
37 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.11
38 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.8
39 – Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52 – Orchestral Version – No.9
40 – Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68 – Original First Performance Version – 1. Andante
41 – Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
42 – Hungarian Dance No.1 In C Minor
43 – Hungarian Dance No.3 In F
44 – Hungarian Dance No.10 In F