BIS

Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

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Details

Composer
Johannes Brahms
Artist
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Format
SACD
Discs
2
Label
BIS
Released
Sep 11, 2026
Catalog #
BIS-2474
UPC
7318599924748

About

Recipient of the prestigious Brahms Prize of the Schleswig-Holstein Brahms Society in 2024, Kent Nagano and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, of which he was principal conductor from 2015 until 2025, perform the first two symphonies by the Hamburg-born composer, recorded in concert. Completed in 1876 after more than twenty years of hesitation, Brahms's First Symphony in C minor, Op. 68, bears the full weight of it's long gestation. Rooted in late Beethoven - Hans von Bulow famously called it the 'Tenth' - it traces a compelling per aspera ad astra journey: from the chromatic, drum-led opening's Faustian struggle, through a luminous slow movement and buoyant third, to a finale that breaks triumphantly into radiant C major. Critically admired but not widely loved, it remained music for connoisseurs. Composed swiftly during the summer of 1877 at the Worthersee, Brahms's Second Symphony in D major, Op. 73, stands in luminous contrast to it's brooding predecessor. Freed from the pressure of a symphonic debut, Brahms produced a work of natural ease and lyrical abundance: from the horn-launched opening movement to the enchanting third-movement minuet and the exuberant finale, it extends it's warmth - in Hanslick's words - to 'connoisseurs and laymen alike.'

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 I. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro 16:09
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro
    Duration
    16:09
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  3. 2 II. Andante sostenuto 09:21
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante sostenuto
    Duration
    09:21
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  4. 3 III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso 04:37
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso
    Duration
    04:37
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  5. 4 IV. Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio 17:11
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Adagio - Più andante - Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
    Duration
    17:11
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  6. Disc 2
  7. 1 I. Allegro non troppo 20:30
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro non troppo
    Duration
    20:30
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  8. 2 II. Adagio non troppo - L'istesso tempo, ma grazioso 09:45
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Adagio non troppo - L'istesso tempo, ma grazioso
    Duration
    09:45
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  9. 3 III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andantino) - Presto ma non assai 05:15
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andantino) - Presto ma non assai
    Duration
    05:15
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  10. 4 IV. Allegro con spirito 08:59
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro con spirito
    Duration
    08:59
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Ensemble
    Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kent Nagano