Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Bruno Walter

2. Variations on a Theme of Haydn for orchestra in B flat major (St. Anthony Variations), Op. 56a
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Bruno Walter

3. Academic Festival Overture, for orchestra in C minor ("Akademische Festouvertüre"), Op. 80
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Bruno Walter

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained it to do the right things, and it responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less-than-stellar ensemble work, there is also some very fine first-desk playing, and the performances as a whole are marked by a natural feeling of movement, phrasing, and expression. Walter's approach to the music is kindly, caring, wonderfully whole--sunny but not overly brilliant, warm but not overly heated, and sincere but not overly impassioned. Anyone who thinks that means the conductor was slow, shapeless, or indulgent should listen. There is thrust here, and plenty of momentum. The recordings, made between 1959 and 1961, are closely miked and somewhat bass-heavy, but have benefited immensely from Sony's state-of-the-art remastering. Considering the vintage, the sound is wonderfully alive and direct. --Ted Libbey

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture, Music, Johannes Brahms, Bruno Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Romantic Overture for Orchestra, Romantic Symphony, Romantic Variations for Orchestra, Symphonic

Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture

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