Brahms - Symphony No. 1 in C minor - George Szell
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor op. 68
The Cleveland Orchestra conducted George Szell
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Speakers Corner
Original Label : EPIC
Recorded March 1-2, 1957 at Severance Hall, Cleveland
Originally released in 1957
Reissued in 2019
Tracks :
Side A:
- Un Poco Sostenuto; Allegro
- Andante Sostenuto
Side B:
Reviews :
Contemporary critics tended to regard Brahms’s First Symphony as follow up to Beethoven’s nine symphonies, arising from its lofty, solemn expression, its melodramatic construction and occasional motivic similarities. Fully conscious of the tremendous symphonic heritage left by Beethoven, it took Brahms 14 years to complete his symphony and present it to the public. The desolate seriousness, the disconcerting asceticism in the short themes of the work, which »does not recommend itself on account of its charm« (Brahms), has tempted many an interpreter to tone the performance down emotionally or to enhance the drama.
The maestro George Szell avoided such dangers by tackling the score dauntlessly. The agonizing minor-key introduction in 6/8 time surges steadily onwards, the tempi remain taut, whilst all the details of the jagged score are brought to the fore. In the final movement the noble 'Alphorn' theme strides forward, and is escalated by the syncopated strings that rush on with breathless furioso. The sheer number of recordings of this monumental work is an indication that the listener must work hard to discover all the fascinating aspects in each bar of Brahms’s composition. The present recording is well qualified for this undertaking.
Ratings :
Allmusic : 4.5 / 5 , Discogs : Rate Your Music :