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Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Tragic Overture; Alto Rhapsody | 
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| Creators: Johannes Brahms, Otto Klemperer, Christa Ludwig, Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra Of London
Label: EMI Classics
Category: Music
List Price: $10.98
Buy New: $7.18
You Save: $3.80 (35%)
New (26) Used (10) from $6.46
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 81575
Format: Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 67029
UPC: 724356702929
EAN: 0724356702929
ASIN: B00000J28G
Release Date: June 8, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Tracks:
| • | Tragic Overture, Op.81 | | • | Alto-Rhapsody, Op.53 - Christa Ludwig | | • | I: Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro | | • | II: Andante Sostenuto | | • | III: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso | | • | IV: Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo Ma Con Brio |
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| Customer Reviews:
 DO NOT BUY MP3 - INFERIOR QUALITY October 9, 2007
Unreal Name (USA)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I purchased the first movement of the symphony as an Amazon MP3 download. It sounds terrible. Maybe good enough for Brittany Spears "music," but adults with ears will find the sound quality of Amazon's MP3 downloads to be worthless.
I checked the specs on this download after placing it into my iTunes:
Length: 14 minutes
Size: 23.3 MB
Bit Rate: 232 kbps (VBR)
Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz
Now compare that to a movement that I recorded to iTunes from a Stravinsky CD (a WAV audio file):
Length: 3 minutes, 11 seconds
Size: 35.1 MB
Bit Rate: 1536 kbps
Sample Rate: 48.000 kHz
As you can see, the Stravinsky CD is clearly superior.
And yet, Amazon is marketing their downloads as "High Definition" (what does that mean?) and raving about their quality at the "What's This?" link beside the listed MB/kpbs at the top of the product page.
They don't want you to know that what you're buying is definitely much lower quality than a CD.
Shame on you, Amazon! Clearly state that your downloads are NOT CD quality. It is false advertising and misdirection to omit to state this fact.
Amazon used to be "5 stars" in my book.
Tonight, they lost a star.
 A great performance, but no granite, please November 26, 2006
Santa Fe listener
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
Because the terms 'monumental' and 'granitic' have been applied so often to Klemperer, they get repeated endlessly. In some ways his Brahms First may sound like that (I've used the same words), but on closer listening, the second motto in the first movement, for example, is rather languid and soft. Klemperer leads with great force, but I can't agree with reviewers who claim he is hammering home th first movement or driving the tempo. Klemperer has tremendous integrity, and he never sentimentlizes, but in his way he can be quite flexible (as in the supple opening of the slow movement).
In fact, the slow movement here is a touchstone for Klemperer's greatness; it moves along with such authority and inner life, such severe control merged with real emotion, that one despairs of ever conductors like him again. The Scherzo is a bit of a surprise--it's one of the fastest on disc at 4:42 min. and full of good humor. The finale is also fast at 16 min., and anyone expecting ponderousness (or granite) will find Klemperer to be surprisingly songful in the famous main theme. In any event, this is a great First that speaks for itself, but I thought I'd clear the air of a few cobwebs.
Very Strong Brahms From Klemperer November 7, 2006
dv_forever (Michigan, USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Right from the titanic opening, you are captivated by the music. Klemperer can be a very dry conductor, very objective and lacking mercurial qualities which are more readily found in the Brahms performances by Furtwangler. However there can't be any denying that from a purely objective standpoint, Klemperer's recording of the 1st symphony by Brahms is one of the truly greatest. Practically everything sounds right, tempos, weight of sound and the true dignity of the music is fully conveyed. The additional pieces are great too, the Tragic Overture and the Alto Rhapsody with Christa Ludwig and male choir.
This is not the greatest performance of this symphony but it is certainly in the top 5 of all time. Here's my rundown of that top 5.
1. Furtwangler 1951
2. Karajan 1964
3. Klemperer 1961 ( the one under review )
4. Karajan 1987
5. Abbado 1990
Superlative!! April 28, 2006
Samuel B. King (Concord, NH)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I hadn't listened to this symphony in close to thirty years (shame on me) and purchased the Kemplerer box set (all the symphonies plus the overtures). As other reviewers mentioned this is one of, if not the best interpretations of these works. I was originally looking for a recording I first heard during the early '70s which was particularly striking. In the last movement of the 1st, that version brought the string accompaniment for the transition to the "9th" theme to the fore, giving it an especially shimmering quality. I forget which version it was and have never been able to find it again. Kempeler does not, unfortunately, conduct that section the same way. However, in all other respects, it is a wonderful recording and belongs in any collection. By the way, I would be interested in hearing from anyone who could identify the other recording I am looking for (is it karajan, Walter or Boehm or someone else)?
 Solemn and ponderous June 1, 2004
Anand Ramachandran (Bangalore, India)
5 out of 15 found this review helpful
I don't understand why Klemperer's readings are described as "granitic" and "monumental". Slow and ponderous are better descriptions. I used to find Brahms 1 too solemn a work till I discovered Eugen Jochum's recording on EMI. Jochum with his flexible phrasing and tempi makes the music sing. I suggest all those who thing this is great to listen to Jochum. All one gets from Klemperer is a headache.
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