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United StatesMonteux's Brahms 2nd
This is one of the truly great performances of this symphony, and it has never sounded better (digitally) than in this version. A self-recommending purchase.
United StatesBrahms on "original instruments:
The Vienna Philharmonic premiered the symphony and may well have recorded this session with the composer's markings in their parts. Monteux, as a young violist, played Brahms for the composer, who was visiting Paris and said he preferred the French players to German ones. Add the most open and warm sound, proper seating (first and second violins left and right, not next to each other), observation of the first movement repeat, for which Brahms composed a dozen of the most magical measures ever to leave his pen, and you got something. Like the symphony itself, this simply glows from start to finish, wrapping up in a blaze of glory. Priceless.
