Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn Variations; Academic Festival Overture

The Columbia Symphony may not have been a first-class orchestra, but Bruno Walter trained it to do the right things, and it responded with first-class accounts of these symphonies. While there are instances of less-than-stellar ensemble work, there is also some very fine first-desk playing, and the performances as a whole are marked by a natural feeling of movement, phrasing, and expression. Walter's approach to the music is kindly, caring, wonderfully whole--sunny but not overly brilliant, warm but not overly heated, and sincere but not overly impassioned. Anyone who thinks that means the conductor was slow, shapeless, or indulgent should listen. There is thrust here, and plenty of momentum. The recordings, made between 1959 and 1961, are closely miked and somewhat bass-heavy, but have benefited immensely from Sony's state-of-the-art remastering. Considering the vintage, the sound is wonderfully alive and direct. --Ted Libbey Amazon.com

My favorite Brahms symphony

The Bruno Walter version of Brahms" First symphony " completes my collection of all four Brahms wrote and includes Variations on a Theme of Haydn. I find the first portion of the Variations includes St. Anthony's chorale that sets me humming all day. The Academic Festival overture is included as well and the reasonable price makes this album a bargain. The First symphony contains a finale with a hymn-like theme which makes it my most played album of the four Brahmsian symphonies. March 25, 2008

A classic Edition!

After comparing different versions of the Academic Festival Overture, Bruno Walter's rendition is the best. Bright, with a noticible faster tempo than other versions, yet still dynamic and powerful in all the right places. January 27, 2008

Brahms 1st for the ages

I have listened to many recordings of Brahms 1st. I have also read extensively the reviews others have given on every Brahms 1st available on Amazon. Along with Klemperer's Brahms 1st, Walter's Brahms 1st is the one to own. The sound is incredible. The performance is closely-miked with deep rich bass. (a conductor's perspective). But, I like it that way. This performance draws you in. I can listen to this performance over and over without tiring. Do not get confused with the multitude of choices out there on which performance of Brahms 1st to get, I have done the searching and listening, get this Brahms 1st and you will not be disappointed. December 4, 2007

Walter: Brahms 1st Haydn Variations Academic Festival

First, these are three of my favorites, and Brahms is my favorite composer. Brahms was deeply concerned that he followed Beethoven. He needed no concern. These are masterpieces. Their performance by Bruno Walter and the Columbia Symphony is also masterful. The technology for the initial recording is dated, the remastering was done with great care. The result is a really great recording. May 13, 2007

Terrific purchase

Walter is a legendary conductor, and these recordings have excellent sound quality and presence. The CD is nearly filled with three "Classical Canon" pieces. You get all this for $10. Highly recommended, for both serious collectors and anyone with even a passing interest in Classical Music. March 16, 2006

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