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Hong KongMid-pace Brahms
A fairly fast start that muddies some of the thick Brahmsian swirls, but no more than in other accounts. Not so fast (39') as the nonagenarian Stokowski whose 1974 RCA account sounds more rushed than the 37' it lasts, but more reasonable than snail-like Szell's (Sony 43'). Unlike other reviewers, I hear little difference between this and the Chesky CD version, but this may be because I listened to the DVD-A version where the DSD clarity may have been lost on conversion to PCM.
United StatesGreat on all levels
The performance (conducted by Fritz Reiner), recording (engineered by the legendary Kenneth Wilkinson), and transfer (thank you HDTT!) are all superb. It's one of those golden age releases that put even many present day recordings to shame. The sound is clear. The imaging: superb. There's no clipping or distortion to speak of. The smooth analog sound is adequately conveyed. The string tone is never harsh (which is sometimes a problem with Brahms). If you love this symphony, you owe it to yourself to add this top-notch re-issue to your collection. I downloaded it in DSD 128 and experienced no problems. So glad I discovered this website.
United StatesWhat a find !!
When this recording emerged over 60 years ago it received superlative reviews but since it was part of an otherwise unremarkable Reader's Digest anthology (with other orchestras and conductors) it was hard to get. So I never had the LP but it has been on my wish lists for that period. I knew of the Chesky CD of it, but that didn't sound very promising as to quality of transfer. But now I find it in the HDTT collection processed from 15 IPS tapes. The results are incredibly beautiful. The sound is very full and since it came from the team of Mohr/Layton (who were responsible for much of the Living Stereo catalog) it has been meticulously engineered. Since their productions really launched the consumer stereo era one might assume that they were especially careful in all aspects of their recorded productions so that the stereo launch would be successful. The result is that Living Stereo (RCA) productions are still legendary recordings 60 years later...and rightly so. This recording is a treasure !!
United StatesSuperb Brahms!!
Very good recording of the Brahms 4 symphony; I hope you publish all the Reader Digest recordings they are all great!!!
United StatesBrahms/RPO/Reiner
Surprisingly superior to the Chesky issue.
Description:
Title: Brahms Symphony No. 4
Artist(s): Fritz Reiner conducts the Royal Philharmonic
Recording Info: Transferred from a 15ips 2-track tape studio duplication using Dolby NR
Producer – Charles Gerhardt
Recording Engineer – K.E. Wilkinson
Recorded by RCA
1. Allegro non troppo 11:22
2. Andante moderato 12:53
3. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno presto - Tempo I 6:35
4. Allegro energico e passionato - Più allegro 9:43
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