What are your TWO favorite Symphonic Recordings?


Only one would cruel and unusual punishment.

My first would be Joseph Krips 1958 recording of Schubert's 9th on London with the London SO.There was a CD of it as well
which is also OP I believe. If you can find either it or the record at anything under a $1OO its a good buy. Personally
I would give 2K for one if I didn't have a copy.
More than once I've read a critic claim this was the greatest record ever made. The LSO was at the top of its game and gave
this uber- powerful symphony a power-house performance.

My second is the 1976 recording of the Brahms 2nd by James Levine and the Chicago SO in the acoustically wonderful Medina Temple in Chicago. Originally it was on RCA but can be had on Amazon as part of Sony Classical 3 disc set of all Brahm'4 symphonies and his great masterpiece the "German Requiem" for less than 15 bucks ! Very nice sound as well.
Levine does a near-miracle in capturing the 2nd Symphonys combo of power , lyricism and harmonic stability all at the same time.
Of all the great Romantic composers Brahms was the most learned, he literally had the music of 4 centuries at his fingertips, knew every note of Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. It took me 30 years of listening before I really
got a glimmer of just how great he is.

A few words of Brahms on Schubert;

"Where else is there a genius like his,that soars with such
boldness and certainty ...he is a child of the Gods...who plays in a region and at a height to which others can by no means attain .
schubert

Showing 7 responses by brownsfan

Schubert, Buddy you nailed it on the Krips great C major!. Wow, this is what I always knew the work could be. Head and shoulders above every other performance I have heard. I owe you one!
Schubert, you are killing me, man. I have 7 kids and 2 grandchildren. Don't ask me to pick my favorite two.

I just can't do this based on musical or artistic grounds. I can make 2 choices based on sentimental grounds. My interest in symphonic music began 42 years ago. Two recordings of symphonic works remain in my library from that early period. LvB 9th, Toscanini, NBC Symphony orchestra. LvB, 3rd symphony, HvK and the Berlin Phil, the 1963 DG recording. These two recordings for me are like my first love. They still get a fair amount of playing time.
Al, we posted at almost the same time. I also have and love the Toscanini Brahms!
Schubert, I will take a look for the Beechum. I have spent far too much trying to find Schubert that exposes the sublime beauty that is so clearly in his music.
Schubert, I found a nice used copy of the Beechum on Amazon. Thanks. I will mention a recent purchase that I have found very satisfying, a Newton classics release of Brahms Alto Rhapsodie and various choral works. ColinDavis/Nathalie Stutzmann. These performances for me, do something akin to what the Krips Schubert did. It gets to Brahms as I think Brahms should be. This makes me wonder if I should not give more of Davis' Brahms a try.

I've found all of the newton classics to be more than satisfactory. They appear to have a good ear for performances that deserve to be back in the catalogue. One disclaimer, I love this CD so much it stays in my car, so I have yet to have it in the house where I can evaluate it based on sonics.
Schubert, I brought the Alto Rhapsody in for a listen on the main rig. Disappointing sound.
Schubert, I noticed that Ferrier's Alto Rhapsody is being reissued on SACD by Praga. It will be available June 2 through Presto. That is on my list of must haves. Thanks for the recommendation.