This very generous Brahms collection has more complete works and less excerpts than some of the other titles in Deutsche Grammophon’s Panorama series. The program begins with Herbert von Karajan’s tonally resplendent performance of the Third Symphony from 1989. Karajan always had been rather stingy with this work, leaving out the first movement’s exposition repeat and tending toward swift tempos in the inner movements; but here he relaxes slightly, and what was rushed now sounds flowing. There’s much attention to inner detail, exemplified by the woodwinds’ surprisingly high profile. The finale could still do with a little more zip, but as with Karajan’s last recording of the Brahms Second, the sheer beauty of the orchestral sound wins you over.
Beauty of sound characterizes Anne-Sophie Mutter’s tone in the following Violin Concerto. Recorded in 1982, Mutter’s first crack at this masterpiece finds her giving a taut and bracing account, playing with dead-on intonation and steely virtuosity yet all the while coaxing lovely sounds from her instrument. DG’s remastering tames the harsh edge that marred the recording’s original CD transfer. Disc 1 ends with Karajan’s fleet and stylish readings of two Hungarian Dances.
On Disc 2 Pinchas Zukerman and Daniel Barenboim’s sweet, almost cloying rendering of Brahms’ Violin Sonata No. 1 sparks pleasant memories of their fine two-LP set from the 1970s, while Wilhelm Kempff’s renderings of the Op. 117 and 118 piano works display his authority and gracefulness in this music. Finally, we return to the orchestral medium with Christa Ludwig’s solemnly impassioned singing of the Alto Rhapsody, warmly supported by the Vienna Singverein and the Vienna Philharmonic under Karl Böhm’s shepherd-like direction. The sound is full and warm for the Sonata and Rhapsody, thinner and a bit bass-shy for the piano works. A fine collection for those new to Brahms, and for those in search of alternatives to their current collection. [1/19/2001]
