Two Brahms Masterpieces:
- Double concerto, and Symphony #2.
The symphony #2 by Johannes Brahms is one of my great favorites, because I hear in it the composer painting the Austrian countryside. The composer spent many summers at a resort town called Bad Ischl, and I went there a few times to experience Nature there myself.
While my favorite interpretation is by conductor Carlos Kleiber, I always want to explore what I can derive from alternate interpretations.
Bernard Haitink’s version of the Brahms Second is light, smooth, and sunny; he gives us a work that is the most pastoral of the four symphonies. The London Symphony plays beautifully, with excellent balance of chords and instrumental voices.
On the same CD, we also get to hear an expressive performance of the Concerto for Violin and Cello from two London Symphony Orchestra principals: Gordan Nikolitch and Tim Hugh. The opening cello solo is in a rich, warm tone, and the second movement is full of eloquence, and playfulness.
Here is Bernard Haitink and The Chamber Orchestra of Europe performing the Brahms Symphony no. 2, second movement: Adagio non troppo:
And next, here is the Brahms Double concerto with Julia Fischer, violin, and Daniel Müller-Schott, Cello:
Tags: Johannes Brahms, Symphony #2, Bernard Haitink, Bad Ischl, Double concerto, violin, Cello, Carlos Kleiber, London Symphony Orchestra