OT: Rattle/BPO Complete Brahms Symphonies

[Leo K]

Wish I had time for a more detailed review, but frankly, I'm amazed at the sound and beautiful pacing of the performances...totally recommended. 


--Todd

 

[alpsman]

These are really exceptional performances. I listen to them slowly-in cd and dvd-and I have so far listened 2,3 and 4. The sound is really impresive( in my japanese presings), the playing outstanding and the interpretation totaly warm and absorbing.

I have also a Brahms 4 in dvd live from Berlin, recorded 1st May 2007, and this is a fantastic performance. I also listened Rattle live in the Brahms-Schoenberg quartet and found that concert one of the best.

So Rattle and Brahms with Berliners makes a unique partnership.

[Leo K]

I'm really tempted to get the japanese pressing with the DVD's!


Still enjoying my Rattle Brahms set.

--Todd

[alpsman]

I complete the listening with the 1st.

The set is outstanding! I heard imediatelly the finale of the 1st again for a second time( something I never do), and then listened Karajan's Decca with VPO.My impressions for Rattle remains.  Rattle, the Berliners and the sound are magnificent.

[John Kim]

What has been letting me down when it comes to Rattle/BPO/EMI recordings is the less than ideal sound quality. For reasons I cannot quite follow, the EMI engineers opt for an unusually low level recording that sounds cavernous and opaque without a wide dynamic range and the kind of impact that we are all used to in this digital era. The sound that EMI (a different team, I presume) created for Rattle's earlier recordings, e.g., CBSO account of M2nd, was much better and more lifelike in this sense.

So, how does the new Brahms cycle sound?

John,

[alpsman]

The difference in sound between Birbigham and Berlin recordings must be that of the halls.

As for the Brahms cycle: I already said that I find the sound splendit, BUT in Japanese pressings. I don't know the Europian release but  imagine that will be mediocre in the best case.

In Japan release the sound is full, warm, immediate, without glare in strings. I listen at full volume without the least discomfort. This is not the "audiophile" sound of Telarc, Exton, xrcd etc. and I find this much more good. You concertrate totally to the glorious music.
And you have the fantastic bonus of the 2dvds with all the symphonies.

[Leo K]

I am very happy with the European release sound quality, very much like Alpsman described    It the best sounding Rattle release from EMI IMHO.  Although I thought the M9 sounded good too, but Japanese pressing was much better.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese pressing for the Brahms has the edge though.

--Todd

[John Kim]

The difference in sound between Birbigham and Berlin recordings must be that of the halls.

I don't think so. Just compare the Rattle/CBSO M2nd with all the rest in the cycle. You'll see what I mean.

The only exception was the M10th in the DVD Audio format (I have not heard the M8th in this format).

John,

[Amphissa]

Is the release containing the DVD available in the U.S.? Because I'm certainly not willing to pay $70 to get it from Japan.