This 1958 Brahms 2nd, the third of four Artur Rubinstein recorded in the studio, might well be considered a summation of his “romantic“ view of the work—a better integrated, more controlled account than those he produced with Albert Coates (the very first recording of the work, made in 1930) and Charles Munch in 1953. Rubinstein went on to record still another version, I believe in 1971, with Eugene Ormandy, which may well be his finest. Still, in its somewhat unstylish, at times even Chopinized way, this 1958 reading proves a refreshing alternative to other, better integrated approaches, and the digital remastering of the early stereo sound is astonishing, with splendid clarity and impact and virtually no audible hiss. The three solo piano pieces are also superbly remastered and a welcome bonus.

-- Mortimer H. Frank, FANFARE [9/1987]

The famous Salome Closing Scene here is still the best of all in many ways: tone bright, defined and sustained like a laser beam, timbre womanly-strong and girlish-fresh, energy inexhaustible, with resources (sparingly exploited) of wilful shrewishness and devouring sensuality. There have been subtler versions, and perhaps we are now spoilt by recordings where the splendours of orchestration overwhelm as they cannot really do here: a fine orchestral performance under Reiner, none the less, and no apologies needed. As Philip Hope-Wallace felt, however, reviewing this selection in 1969, admirers of Welitsch -in the flesh" might well feel apologetic about the "Vissi d'arte", shallow in feeling, short-breathed in phrasing. Better is her Donna Anna, better still, perhaps, her Zigeunerbaron solo. But the Salome is what matters: "singing with her nerves," as PH-W said, "at a tension which is not in the slightest danger of snapping".

-- Gramophone [5/1984]

Rubinstein Collection, Vol 22: Brahms: Concerto No. 2; Grieg

ZUCKERMAN, HORNE - BRAHMS: VIO

BRAHMS: PIANO CONCERTO NO 2, E

BRAHMS: PIANO CONCERTO NO 1 A

BRAHMS: SYMPHONY NO 2, TRAGIC

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 41: All Brahms: 3 Violin & Piano

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 71: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

Even toward the end of her career Christa Ludwig was in lustrous voice and sang with an innate understanding of these songs.

Christa Ludwig was one of the leading operatic and recital singers of the post war generation... The disc devoted to lieder makes for very rewarding listening. The groups by Strauss and Mahler strike me as being particularly fine. Even towards the end of her long career Ludwig was able to call upon the resources of tone which these songs so often demand. This is not to imply that the offerings of Schumann or Brahms are in any way inferior. In these, too, she is in lustrous voice and sings with an innate understanding of the idiom. The programme is artfully chosen not only to present composers with whose music Ludwig had a particular affinity but also, just as importantly, with regard to the inevitable limitations the years may have placed upon her vocal resources. Suffice to say there is little or nor hint that we are listening to a singer aged 65. ...[T]he whole lieder recital is taken from a disc entitled ‘Farewell to Salzburg’ and comprises the programme which she chose for her final recital in that city in August 1993. The recordings themselves were made in the previous January during performances in the Schloss Grafenegg in Haitzendorf, Austria... The discs will give much pleasure for they are full of high quality artistry and all admirers of this great singer will want to snap up these recordings.

-- John Quinn, MusicWeb International [reviewing the box set RCA 84597]

BRAHMS: PIANO CONCERTO NO 1 G

BRAHMS: VIOLIN CONCERTO, DOUBL

With this latest release on EMI Classics from Sir Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker the team returns to the 19th-century Germanic repertoire on which the orchestra's heritage has been based since it's formation 125 years ago. Following in the historic footsteps of Klemperer, Celibidache, Tennstedt, Fischer-Dieskau, Schwarzkopf and many other distinguished EMI artists, Simon Rattle brings to the label Brahms's most substantial yet intimate large-scale work.

Classical Music

Brahms: Violin Concerto (2015) Itzhak Perlman, Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Heroic, dramatic, reflective and joyous, Brahms's Violin Concerto - written for the great Joseph Joachim, a close friend of the composer - is one of the monuments of the Romantic repertoire. In a performance of epic sweep, Itzhak Perlman and Carlo Maria Giulini do full justice to it's ambitions.