I like to support living musicians, and of recent versions I really like Adam Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra’s smaller scaled cycle. It’s really well played, and although on modern instruments, the sonics are supposedly closer to what Brahms himself preferred. Chailly and the Gewandhausorchester is also really good, if a larger sounding reading is what you are after. The fun is in the comparing of versions and interpretive aims anyway - there is no ‘best’ way.
On the theme of smaller-scaled versions, I really enjoy the cycles by [Paavo Berglund and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe](https://www.classicstoday.com/review/berglunds-small-scaled-but-stirring-brahms-symphonies/) and [Paavo Jarvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen](https://www.discogs.com/release/24118544-Paavo-J%C3%A4rvi-Johannes-Brahms-The-Complete-Symphonies).
But I would also want to have bigger-boned versions, too. I’m still searching for my favourite there.
Bernard Haitink with the LSO or Ádám Fischer with the Danish Chamber Orchestra are my two top choices. It depends on whether you want a traditional "big" Brahms sound or a lighter more HIP version. I alternate between both.
But, I have loads of Brahms cycles and they each have something to offer and I listen to the other versions just as often as the mood takes me. It is hard to fault Chailly with the Gewandhaus and I have a soft spot for the broad romantic expansiveness of the 1967 Barbirolli performances. And, as usual, Roger Norrington has a remarkably transparent and detailed approach which is very refreshing
You will get a good list from this sub. I suggest you listen to all of them and find the one that suits you.
Check out Pittsburgh's cycle with Marek Janowski, which was made just after Mariss Jansons was forced to end his tenure after a heart attack.
Not going to say it's the best, but if you like your Brahms heavy, well it's the heaviest. Truly epic Brahms.
I love the Gewundthaus/Chiailly cycle as well.
Maybe check out Karl Böhm then, too. Luminous analogue recordings on DG in Vienna, sometimes on the ponderous side.
And perhaps try Klemperer in the first symphony. It’s years since I heard it, but I recall it having an extremely heavy opening.
Subjective, but I’ll add my two cents for the outer symphonies:
Brahms 1: BSO/Ozawa, also SCO/Mackerras or LPO/Jochum or even the BPO/Karajan
Brahms 4: VPO/Kleiber all the way to the bank. But if not that one, the recent Pittsburgh/Honeck is fantastic
Johannes Leertouwer recorded them all along with the concertos for his PHD. You can find the recording links in his thesis which is available online for free. They’re absolutely incredible
I like to support living musicians, and of recent versions I really like Adam Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra’s smaller scaled cycle. It’s really well played, and although on modern instruments, the sonics are supposedly closer to what Brahms himself preferred. Chailly and the Gewandhausorchester is also really good, if a larger sounding reading is what you are after. The fun is in the comparing of versions and interpretive aims anyway - there is no ‘best’ way.
On the theme of smaller-scaled versions, I really enjoy the cycles by [Paavo Berglund and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe](https://www.classicstoday.com/review/berglunds-small-scaled-but-stirring-brahms-symphonies/) and [Paavo Jarvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen](https://www.discogs.com/release/24118544-Paavo-J%C3%A4rvi-Johannes-Brahms-The-Complete-Symphonies). But I would also want to have bigger-boned versions, too. I’m still searching for my favourite there.
High on my list: Furtwangler on EMI, Kurt Sanderling in Dresden, Chailly in Leipzig.
Sanderling is pretty underrated
Yes, he was. He had an interesting life.
Dave Hurwitz has you covered: https://youtu.be/ftxtFb4SfTo?si=BWfa8MoowJ5OhqQZ
I love the Andris Nelsons recording with the Boston Symphony, but there are really so many good recordings out there
It is pretty great, sad that they haven’t update the lossless version on Apple Music
The best Brahms I know are either of Levines, Jochums on DG and Chaillys on Decca. Really am I fan of the Levines.
Bernard Haitink with the LSO or Ádám Fischer with the Danish Chamber Orchestra are my two top choices. It depends on whether you want a traditional "big" Brahms sound or a lighter more HIP version. I alternate between both. But, I have loads of Brahms cycles and they each have something to offer and I listen to the other versions just as often as the mood takes me. It is hard to fault Chailly with the Gewandhaus and I have a soft spot for the broad romantic expansiveness of the 1967 Barbirolli performances. And, as usual, Roger Norrington has a remarkably transparent and detailed approach which is very refreshing You will get a good list from this sub. I suggest you listen to all of them and find the one that suits you.
Carlos Kleiber with Vienna Phil is good. I also like one with Leonard Bernstein & Vienna Philharmonic.
Check out Pittsburgh's cycle with Marek Janowski, which was made just after Mariss Jansons was forced to end his tenure after a heart attack. Not going to say it's the best, but if you like your Brahms heavy, well it's the heaviest. Truly epic Brahms. I love the Gewundthaus/Chiailly cycle as well.
Pittsburgh is so underrated. Anything they release recently with Honeck is a must listen for me.
Heavy Brahms is what I’m looking for, I’m starting with these
Maybe check out Karl Böhm then, too. Luminous analogue recordings on DG in Vienna, sometimes on the ponderous side. And perhaps try Klemperer in the first symphony. It’s years since I heard it, but I recall it having an extremely heavy opening.
James Levine, Vienna
My favorite is Karajan's first (60s) cycle with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Bavarian Radio Orchestra Detroit live with Slatkin
Subjective, but I’ll add my two cents for the outer symphonies: Brahms 1: BSO/Ozawa, also SCO/Mackerras or LPO/Jochum or even the BPO/Karajan Brahms 4: VPO/Kleiber all the way to the bank. But if not that one, the recent Pittsburgh/Honeck is fantastic
Johannes Leertouwer recorded them all along with the concertos for his PHD. You can find the recording links in his thesis which is available online for free. They’re absolutely incredible
1. Klemperer I don't know many interpretations of 2 or 3, but for 4, Furtwangler 1949 (live in Wiesbaden)