13.4.23

Karajan's Brahms. A Discographic Clarification (#HvK115)



► An Index of ionarts Discographies



Herbert von Karajan conducted - and recorded - Brahms a lot! And, by and large, always well. So it is only reasonable that newcomers would still wish to explore it. But which of his recordings? The 60s cycle? Or the one from the 70s, after all? Or even the one from the 80s? How many recordings did he make? And which ones are hiding behind which labels? This post, an addendum to my series of discographies, was inspired by the #HvK115 Project on Twitter, where TheSymphonist and I challenged ourselves to come up with 115* great Karajan recordings on the occasion of his 115th birthday, seeing that HvK is still often snubbed by the self-proclaimed cognoscenti. Turns out, the challenge was to keep it down to 115! Anyway, with regards to the Brahms (the 60s DG recordings were included in the #HvK115 list, although many others could have rightly been, too), this little post is meant to help you identify which release contains which cycle (or parts thereof). The performances, to the excent they can be sensibly lumped together, are listed in chronological order. Individual releases from the various cycles are included, too, so you know which ones you might already have and which performances are hiding behind which cover, if you're in the market for some Karajan-Brahms.

For orientation: Karajan has recorded the Brahms Symphonies as a cycle four times, all with the Berlin Philharmonic and for DG (or the DG-affiliated Unitel). Once in 1963/64, in the Jesus Christus Kirche, then live on video in 1973, in new recordings from the Philharmonie in 1978, and finally in digital recordings from the Philharmonie between 1986 and 88 (which is more or less identical with the Sony/Telemondia visual releases). Additionally, he recorded Brahms in the studio in London (Kingsway Hall) for EMI with the Philharmonia Orchestra (Sys. 1, 2 & 4) and in Vienna: A one-off from the Musikverein with Brahms' 2nd from 1949 and then two fabled recordings - Symphonies 1 and 3 - with Culshaw for Decca from the Sophiensaal. The rest consists of radio broadcasts throughout the years, most notoriously perhaps the 1943 (!) Brahms 1st with the Concertgebouw, which must have just loved to play under Karajan.

(Survey begins after the break, if you didn't land on this page directly)








Symphony No.1 (1943)

(Various) Concertgebouw Orchestra

This First was recorded in September of 1943 (sources differ as to the exact date) with the Concertgebouw, which cannot have been too pleased with the Reich's up-and-coming star-conductor taking them through their paces. As WWII recordings in ancient sound are not generally my wheelhouse, I know nothing about this recording except the various, varioulsy believable reviews.

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Don Juan, 7 Veils
DG Dokumente
Release: 1990
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Don Juan
Allegro Great Conductors
Release: 2001
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Leonore Ovt., 7 Veils
Naxos
Release: 2008
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Don Juan, 7 Veils
Audiophile Classics
Release: 2001
1 CD

US | UK | DE


EMI Recordings 1949-1955

(Columbia, EMI, Warner) Philharmonia, Vienna Philharmonic

Walter Legge recorded Karajan four times in Brahms. The first recording was a taping of the Second Symphony at the Musikverein's Grosser Saal with the Vienna Philharmonic between October 18th and 27th, 1949. (Coupled, on CD, with the first ever recording of Metapmorphosen.) Then followed three of Brahms' symphonies with Karajan and the Philharmonia in London, at Kingsway Hall. The First between May and July of 1952, the Second and Fourth in 1955, from May 24th to 26th. Urania once tried to make an early HvK Brahms cycle from Karajan's early recordings, using the three Philharmonia performances and coupling it with the 1960 Vienna performance (Decca, see below).

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2 etc.
Vienna Philharmonic
EMI
Release: 1997
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2 (Box Set)
Vienna Philharmonic
Warner
Release: 2014
10 CD

US | UK | DE





available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
Philharmonia & VPO
Urania
Release: 2003
2s CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1 et al
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: 1990
3 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1, 2, 4 ++
Philharmonia
Warner
Release: 2014
12 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: ?
1 LP






available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sy. No.2 + Schubert 8
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: 1988
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sy. No.2 + Schubert 8
Philharmonia
EMI (Nipper)
Release: 2002
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony Nos.1, 2, 4 ++
Philharmonia
Warner
Release: 2014
11 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: ?
1 LP



available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sy. No.4 + Liszt Prel.
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: 1988
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sy. No.4 + Schumann 4
Philharmonia
Warner (Karajan Coll.)
Release: 2005
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony Nos.1, 2, 4 ++
Philharmonia
Warner
Release: 2014
11 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.4
Philharmonia
EMI
Release: ?
1 LP



Decca Recordings, 1959/1961

(Decca) Vienna Philharmonic

The Vienna Philharmonic was under contract with Decca, when Karajan worked with the orchestra in the early days, and most of these recordings are still classics. The two Brahms symphonies - the First and Third - that John Culshaw produced and recored in the famed Sophiensaal still hold up, too. In addition to the CDs shown, these are also to be found on a variety of "Karajan & Decca" boxes, which are, however, oop.

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Tragic Ovt.
Decca Emotionen
Release: 1993
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Tragic Ovt.
Decca Ovation
Release: 1987
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Tragic Ovt.
Decca Japan
Release: 2008
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Tragic Ovt., Haydn Var.
Regis
Release: 2013
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.3
+ Dvorak 8
Decca Originals
Release: 2011
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.3
+ Dvorak 8
Decca Ovation
Release: 1988
1 CD

US | UK | DE








1960s Cycle

(DG) Berlin Philharmonic

Unlike the first DG Beethoven cycle from the 60s, the Brahms cycle (recorded on October 11/12 [1], 10/11 [2] 1963, September 28-30 [3], and October 12-16 [4] 1964 was never the DG go-to Karajan cycle. Well-regarded, though it is, the 70s cycle was the one that was pushed and re-issued; the 60s cycle never, in fact, made it onto CD to this day (as a cycle). Remastered versions of all symphonies have, however appeared. No.1 in the Originals issue, Nos.2 & 3 in the Karjan Masters edition, and No.4 on the "Karajan The Legend" disc. Most recently, the cycle was re-issued on Vinyl and as high-res downloads.

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Schumann 1
DG Originals
Release: 1995
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Tragic Ovt.
DG Privilige
Release: 199?
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Schumann O-S-F
DG Eloquence
Release: 1999
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
& other works
DG Panorama
Release: 200?
2 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sys Nos.2 & 3

DG Karajan Masters
Release: 2007
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sys Nos.2 & 3

DG MusikFest
Release: 1990
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Sys Nos.2 & 3

DG Coll.d.Mill
Release: 2005
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies

DG
Release: 2017
4 LPs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.4
+ DVD
DG The Legend
Release: 1995
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.4
+ Tragic Ovt., Haydn Var.
DG Masterpieces
Release: 199?
1 CD

US | UK | DE





available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies

DG
Release: 2017
4 LPs

US | UK | DE


1973 Video Cycle

(DG/Unitel) Berlin Philharmonic

This cycle, live [based on live concerts, anyway] from January 2 and 3, 1973, much like the video-cycles of Karjan's Beethoven Symphonies, isn't on as many minds, probably because the format isn't every listener's cup of tea. (Certainly not mine.) Curious that it's never appeared on disc; I wonder how it might fare. Some certainly swear by it. The concerts are also available on the Berlin Philharmonic's Digital Concert Hall. It had also been available on two Laser Discs, btw.

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies

UNITEL
Release: 2008
2 DVDs 5.1 DTS

US | UK | DE











1970s Cycle

(DG) Berlin Philharmonic

This is "the" Karajan Brahms cycle, as far as popularity and frequency of re-issues is concerned. When you see Karajan's Brahms on CD, it's a safe bet it's from this 70s cycle, which was recorded in the Philharmonie (a marketing point, altohugh the Jesus Christus Kirche is probably the more interesting recording space), in February of 1978 (although work migh thave begun on it as early as October of 1977). Its Fourth, in particularly, is still getting a lot of love, and rightly so. If you are wondering why the set of Symphonies from the Karajan: The Collection edition (I call it the "Me-Me-Me Edition", because the covers feature Herbie petting his Jet. Riding his Motorbike. Steering his motor plane. Sailing his Yacht. Visting Moscow etc.) is included at all or as "No.4", that's because it contains Symphonies 1 through 3 from the 80s set but the Fourth from the 70s set. (Odd, maybe, but not a bad move. Even if it was done for space-, not quality-of-interpretation reasons.)

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
"2CD" Edition
DG
Release: 1997
2 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
H.v.Karajan Collection
DG
Release: 1990
3 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
K. Symphony Edition
DG
Release: 2008
3 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
Org. Cover Ed.
DG Japan
Release: 2001
4 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1
+ Haydn Var.
DG Galleria
Release: ~1990s
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2
+ Schumann #2
DG
Release: ~1990s
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.3 & 4

DG Galleria
Release: 1993
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.3 & 4

DG Germany
Release: 1991
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.1 & 3
DG Virtuoso
Release: 2012
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.2 & 4

DG Virtuoso
Release: 2012
1 CD

US | UK | DE





available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.4 [sic!]
Karajan The Collection
DG
Release: 2003
2 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1

DG Japan
Release: 2017
1 SHM CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2
+ Tragic Ovt
DG Japan
Release: 2014
1 CD?

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.2 & 3
[same image as CD of No.2]
DG Japan
Release: 2022
1 SHM SACD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.3 & 4

DG Japan
Release: 2017
1 SHM CD

US | UK | DE


1980s Cycle

(DG/Sony DVD) Berlin Philharmonic

This is the digital 1980s cycle that Karajan recorded between 1986 (Symphony No.2, June 15-19), and 1988 (Symphonies Nos 3 & 4, on and around October 23rd, with the No.1 having been recorded between January 23 to 29, 1987). It suffers 'by association' from the (somewhat unfair) dodgy reputation of the digital Beethoven cycle, but otherwise has a good reputation, with some performances (the 2nd is often mentioned) coming in for particular praise. Note that the "Me-Me-Me" Edition set (see also "70s Cycle" above) contains Symphonies 1 through 3 from this cycle but had the Fourth Symphony taken from the 70s cycle. (It's possible that there is an alternative cover for the original release of the set.)

available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
First Release
DG
Release: 1989
3 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
Brahms Edition
DG
Release: 2008
5 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies
DUO
DG
Release: 2011
2 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies Nos.1-3 [sic!]
Karajan The Collection
DG
Release: 2003
2 CDs

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.1

DG
Release: 1987
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2
+ Haydn Var.
DG
Release: 1987
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.3
+ Tragic Ovt.
DG
Release: 1989
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.4

DG
Release: 1989
1 CD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies 1 & 2

Sony/Telemondial
Release: 2010
1 DVD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphonies 1 & 2

Sony/Telemondial
Release: 2009
1 DVD

US | UK | DE


available at Amazon
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.3
and other works
DG Panorama
Release: 2007
2 CDs

US | UK | DE






Brahms Karajan Symphony cycle complete overview, complete Herbert von Karajan Symphonies Johannes Brahms

1 comment:

  1. A Wonderful Piece of Work - Really Helpful!

    ReplyDelete