The music of Brahms held an important place in Sir John Barbirolli's repertoire, and these recordings of the symphonies, made with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1966 and 1967, stand as one of the peaks of his discography. Barbirolli's relationship with this music is rooted in his time as an orchestral cellist, and these performances are notable for their rich, ripe sonorities and expansive warmth. The two mighty Piano Concertos were also recorded in 1967 in distinguished versions with Daniel Barenboim. Playing the violin concerto here, Fritz Kreisler as a young man had been part of Brahms's outer circle in Vienna and drew his approach to this music straight from the source. Last but not least is the Double Concerto, of which Geraint Lewis wrote in Gramophone, "The great underestimated Alfredo Campoli showed what a rich tone and innate musicality he had at his command alongside an equally eloquent André Navarra."
1 Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: I. Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
2 Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: II. Andante Sostenuto
3 Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: III. Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
4 Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68: IV. Finale. Adagio
5 Tragic Overture, Op. 81
- Disc 2 -
1 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: I. Allegro Non Troppo
2 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: II. Adagio Non Troppo
3 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: III. Allegretto Grazioso. Quasi Andantino
4 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: IV. Allegro Con Spirito
5 Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90: I. Allegro Con Brio
6 Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90: II. Andante
7 Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90: III. Poco Allegretto
8 Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90: IV. Allegro
9 Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: I. Allegro Non Troppo
10 Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: II. Andante Moderato
11 Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: III. Allegro Giocoso
12 Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98: IV. Allegro Energico Espressivo
13 Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
- Disc 3 -
1 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Thema. Chorale St. Antoni
2 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation I. Poco Più Animato
3 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation II. Più Vivace
4 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation III. Con Moto
5 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation IV. Andante Con Moto
6 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation V. Vivace
7 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation VI. Vivace
8 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation VII. Grazioso
9 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Variation VIII. Presto Non Troppo
10 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56A "ST. Antoni Chorale": Finale
- Disc 4 -
1 Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: I. Maestoso
2 Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: II. Adagio
3 Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: III. Rondo. Allegro Non Troppo
- Disc 5 -
1 Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: I. Allegro Non Troppo
2 Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: II. Allegro Appassionato
3 Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: III. Andante
4 Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: IV. Allegro Grazioso
- Disc 6 -
1 Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza By Fritz Kreisler)
2 Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: II. Adagio
3 Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace
4 Concerto for Violin & Cello in a Minor, Op. 102, "Double Concerto": I. Allegro
5 Concerto for Violin & Cello in a Minor, Op. 102, "Double Concerto": II. Andante
6 Concerto for Violin & Cello in a Minor, Op. 102, "Double Concerto": III. Vivace Non Troppo
The music of Brahms held an important place in Sir John Barbirolli's repertoire, and these recordings of the symphonies, made with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1966 and 1967, stand as one of the peaks of his discography. Barbirolli's relationship with this music is rooted in his time as an orchestral cellist, and these performances are notable for their rich, ripe sonorities and expansive warmth. The two mighty Piano Concertos were also recorded in 1967 in distinguished versions with Daniel Barenboim. Playing the violin concerto here, Fritz Kreisler as a young man had been part of Brahms's outer circle in Vienna and drew his approach to this music straight from the source. Last but not least is the Double Concerto, of which Geraint Lewis wrote in Gramophone, "The great underestimated Alfredo Campoli showed what a rich tone and innate musicality he had at his command alongside an equally eloquent André Navarra."
