The Cleveland Orchestra
2021In October 2020 The New York Times called it "America's finest [orchestra], still," and in 2012 Gramophone Magazine ranked the Cleveland Orchestra number 7 on its list of the world's greatest orchestras.
Johannes Brahms - Piano Concerto No.1,2 (Yefim Bronfman)
Yefim Bronfman, Franz Welser-Möst
Yefim Bronfman has the uncanny ability to play large without stridency, to handle the most delicate passages without losing presence, and to play everything in between with a ravishing sense of tonal colour. In the Second Piano Concerto Welser-Möst and Bronfman brought pulsing energy to the concerto’s second movement, setting up an oasis of calm for the third that segued immediately into the genial finale, whose last chords were nearly obliterated by roars of approval from the audience. Laced into his forceful performance of Piano Concerto No. 1 was a surprising element of fury, as if the pianist had become unhinged momentarily: and yet Bronfman was also wholly present, taking time in relaxed passages to savour every second.
Johannes Brahms - Piano Concerto No.1,2 (Yefim Bronfman)
Johannes Brahms - Violin Concerto Symphony No. 4 (Julia Fischer)
Julia Fischer, Franz Welser-Möst
Brahms’ rousing Academic Festival Overture and Violin Concerto op. 77 bear witness to a composer at the height of his abilities, a mature master of large-scale masterpieces. The Violin Concerto demands extreme technical proficiency. As if to exemplify this, violinist Julia Fischer gears herself from the very start of this emotionally searing work to maintaining a restrained yet passionate tone.
Johannes Brahms - Violin Concerto Symphony No. 4 (Julia Fischer)
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No.1, 2 & 3 (The Cleveland Orchestra)
Franz Welser-Möst, The Cleveland Orchestra
Brahms Symphonies 1-3. In 2014, Franz Welser-Möst conducts the Cleveland Orchestra in Symphony No. 1 at the Royal Albert Hall, London and Symphonies 2 and 3 at the Musikverein Golden Hall, Vienna. This disc is also available as part of a box set with Brahms' most famous symphonic works. Symphony 1 directed for TV Director by Jonathan Haswell; Symphonies 2 and 3 directed for TV by Brian Large. Herbert G. Kloiber was Producer.
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No.1, 2 & 3 (The Cleveland Orchestra)
