Brahms: Symphony No. 2 / Rattle · Berliner Philharmoniker

[richxx4]

Simon Rattle - ya gotta dig this guy. I love conductors who leave the score at home. And he looks so cool! Maybe he's just another showboat but I don't think so. I think he's really feeling it.

It says you can get the whole performance on the Berlin Phil website. But what I saw looked like vids. Anybody know where to download good quality audio of these performances?

[dwlock100]

Reminds me of Beethoven, the passion and the soulfulness of great music. Rattle demonstrates this so well with Brahms.

[DominicNanni]

Such a great performance of this song! Love the way he conducts the whole orchestra at about 0.27 with one great sweeping motion. So awesome :) Thanks for posting!

[sahand144]

I can't stop listening to this

[LittleLiuvar]

@sahand144 me too

[DivyamnDiv]

Muito bom.

[adina12100]

Sir Simon Rattle, ha conducido estas notas musicales por la senda de la majestuosidad. En hilera bien alineada, han flanqueado mi corazón!

[contrerados]

Rattle reminds us how badly we miss Kleiber and von Karajan.

[gnatural]

@contrerados ??? do you think hes not good?

[trumpterman]

@BerlinPhil

The DCH is one of the best thing to happen for classical music in recent times... thank you so much for this, I love watching and listening.

[luvmoox]

they need more women in this orchestra!

love brahms symphony

[SpottyDorsord]

The sound is here is so much better than in the EMI recording. The dynamic range is far greater.

[geolog12]

The sound reproduction on this video is very good, coming through very clear, almost LP quality from my staxs :) Thanks Berliner Philharmoniker, and Deutsche bank for this channel. :)

[Melusineviolon]

I would damn my soul to be part of this orchestra... god why didn't I practise more while studies?

[SuinjaoRaosue1]

Like a rye wheat field ...

suinjaoraosue

[duckbarf]

I am dreaming of the day I will get to see a live concert of the exceedingly fine BPO in the Philharmonie. Bravo! I love you all!

[aweitzer1]

@duckbarf ahhh i think that is every classical music lovers dream. Are you from Australia? Cos the BPO and Rattle are coming to Sydney this year, and they are playing this symphony. Just sucks that I don't live in Sydney! The BPO and Rattle, are indeed amazing :)))))

[atrio199]

I used to think that rattle was a tad too theatrical. Maybe so but this is the best Brahms 2 I heard including von Karajan. Just listen at 0.54 - 1.10, utter perfection. Beautiful, masterful as at 1.31

[maria39866]

Brahms simphonys always seem to "explode" and i love that

[ndh217]

Simon Rattle is fantastic!

[llcamus249]

The most beautiful music, played so well. What a genuis Herr Brahams was.

[2kochanskaya7]

at 1:10, Wenzel Fuchs is so cool!!

I wish I could play this solo like him!!!

[Haeronthegreat]

Music is fundamentally human. It is written by humans, not simply plucked from the aether. Your experience of music is your own, but remember that all 'divine' music, as you may call it, was still meticulously worked out, and revised, then revised some more, even edited after first publication. Are these aborted versions somehow unspiritual?

[CincinnatusUSA]

The dichotomy between the spiritual and sensual hasn't been sufficiently proved, but merely assumed. Moreover, music historically is associated with sacred rituals, which are preeminently associated with religion--hence, the spiritual. As for musical saints, the whole thrust of Romanticism was to divinize sensuous experience, and thus the whole of Romantic art is a kind of sacrament--and its artists a new order of saints. But let us see what kind of caviling this elicits.

[curlyman217]

brahms is brahms. gotta love it.

[CarlViola]

Music is a personal experience for every listener/performer. If music does have a general purpose it should be to unite people as a result of their enjoyment or what ever emotion tor experience the music give them/us. By arguing about whether it is spiritual or not goes against what music should do. Not that music has to do anything each person's experience is there own.

[yossiban]

This is the most uplifting music ever composed!!...

It is completely glorious...

it makes the soul soar beyond the highest heavens and takes one to the place of g-d's most exalted joy.

His splendorous rejoicing over all His creation.

[cynic150]

Prove it!

I am afraid I must disagree. Music is NOT spritual. It is emotional. Music was created by man not God. Name a saint who was a musician.

[NiceVideos11]

Music IS spiritual, Music IS emotional, Music IS physical, Music IS mental, Music IS all-encompassing...... PERIOD!!!

[cynic150]

I have been a musician my whole life and I am trelling you that music is NOT spiritual. It has nothing at all to do with God or the other world. You can imagine whatever you like but it will be only your imagination.

[NiceVideos11]

I have been a musician all MY life, and I can tell you.... you are wrong.

[cynic150]

we can argue for ever but you will never change my mind. I used to think like you, but now I try to be more objective and realistic. There is nothing to prove that music is spiritual, so you cannot prove me wrong. You have not answered my previous question about saints. Just because a lot of people believe something does not make it true. Now you will tell me you can comunicate with God. What is God? Tell me that. Then I might begin to respect you more.

[NiceVideos11]

HAHAHA... well first of all I do not need nor do I require your respect, that's number one. How presumptuous of you to believe I did. Just because you're a soulless fellow don't ruin it for anyone else. As far as your saint question is concerned.... it's a ridiculous question to begin with. What is your definition of saint and what is your definition of spiritual??.. there were ALOT of saints who were musicians... you've been a musician all your life and you know not the history of your craft.

[cynic150]

History was never my strong point. You still have not named a musical saint or explained what God is, therefore I assume you do not know. I assumed that most people want respect. Also, since you seem to be becoming excited over this that you are not very spritual yourself, merely emotional. If you are religious you should know that no one is soulless, even me who dares to question your knowledge. If you don't understand saint or spritual, what are we areguing about?

[NiceVideos11]

Benedict Biscop, Cecilia, Dunstan, Genesius of Rome, Gregory the Great, Notkar Balbulus, Paul the Apostle, and Arnulf of Soissons.. All Patron Saints of Music and Musicians.

[NiceVideos11]

Blessed Maria Cruified Satellico, Saint Aldhelm of Sherborne, Saint Grimbald, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, Blessed Raymond Lull, Saint Columba of Iona, Saint Odo of Cluny, Blessed Notkar Balbulus, Saint Benigus, Saint Herve ......All Saints who were MUSICIANS!!!!!!

[NiceVideos11]

.. Not to mention that King David was a Musician..... Also before Satan was kicked out of heaven when he was known as Lucifer he was in charge of MUSIC IN HEAVEN. Not to mention that music has always been an integral part of church services and WORSHIP... Music is mentioned in the Bible and music is mentioned many times in reference to worship.

[NiceVideos11]

NOT TO MENTION.... western music would not be what it is today if it were not for the Catholic Church ( not that I'm a fan of theirs)... just stating a historical fact. Try telling Bach music was not spiritual. Bach believed music was spiritual and Bach was a GENIUS.

[cynic150]

Well, thanks. You learn something every day. I have not heard of most of those people. Did you look them all up on Google? I see you mention Lucifer; Satan might have something to do with music, I can accept that because it is a sensual thing, art, and the sensual seems to have been sent to tempt us all, wouldn't you agree. But still think music was made by man, not God, and is not from the other world and cannot be spritual. What does music do which is spiritual?

[henkema22]

the spirituality of music lies within the listener. simple as that - so maybe you are just not (yet) open for it...

[cynic150]

If you are spritual inside then you don't need music.

[henkema22]

you seem to have chosen your name here for a good reason mr cynic. many peoples spirituality (including mine) can be triggered by music, yes. and i like and enjoy it. i do not 'need' it though, it works also without music. just because you can't doesn't not mean you should condemn our approach to music. oh, i forgot, you are a cynic, so feel free to go ahead. just do not expect to be taken seriously here...

[amonasro100]

@cynic150

Why do you surf on you tube - if you dont like music ?, why dont you check-out something different ?

But please, dont spoil classic music.

Thank you

[esgatch]

@Tschaennis93

Yes, there is One true and living eternal God, who created all things, and is worthy of all honor, glory, blessing, praise, trust, and obedience. All music was originally created for His praise. He is righteous, holy, true and just to all His creation. Even to His archangels, even to that one archangel and the angels who rebelled with him against their Creator and were cast out of His presence. And yes, God is Righteous to have given us His only Son to redeem us from our sins.

[Haeronthegreat]

@esgatch Prove it.

[esgatch]

@Haeronthegreat:

Nay, but the unbelieving heart is never satisfied and only demands proof to justify it's self.

[etiterum]

I still feel that especially the sound quality that is possible on youtube is so bad, that an orchestra like the Berlin Philharmonic should not have an official representation here. It gives the listener not the least idea of what is really going on. everything is distorted here. This is a step back.

[ctfamily40]

Opinions like that are the primary reason why classical music is an art form currently detached from the popular consciousness. We can no longer be arrogant or self-important enough to think that our music doesn't belong on youtube with the the rest of mass culture. Regardless of the sound quality possible via this medium, videos like these videos, which the philharmonic has been generous enough to provide us with, attract new concert goers- a precious commodity in our field.

[swanningaround]

Agreed. I think some people get annoyed becuase the "peasants" may get some enjoyment from something that only the rich and famous should have access to. Well, times have changed. Now anyone can enjoy the music. That is the power of the internet, and it is great!

[MikeDrewYT]

Nothing beats hearing it live. Short of that, this is pretty good. If you are listening on the computer but without good speakers or headphones, you are missing a lot. The exposure this gives to the music and orchestra is more than worth the imperfect sound reproduction.

[SpottyDorsord]

Youtube provides better sound than vinyl. By your measurement nothing orchestral should have been recorded before the invention of the compact disc.

Are you listening to this video on HD quality?

[etiterum]

I just wanted to remind of the quality standards set by this orchestra. Vinyl was the best available technology at its time. If you like it, so be it.

[SpottyDorsord]

So.....you think the quality of the orchestra will deteriorate because of youtube?

If it were financially feasible to improve the sound quality by either setting up their own site or convincing youtube to do it, I'm sure they would do it. But the orchestra needs the money it can get from this medium and that will pay for the maintenance of orchestral quality that you and many others value.

A listener's poor hearing or concentration will create the same diminishment you're describing.

[etiterum]

...and look at how Karajan struggled to find adequate visual expression for his music making. Today they simply place a few cameras in the hall-and that's it. I don't know. The more ressources you invest in the eye the less you'll have for the ear. The blind have excellent ears. The wish to transmit optical information by necessity reduces the available bandwidth for the music.

[SpottyDorsord]

I can't really understand what Karajan was trying to achieve, I liked that crazy Pastoral film, yet he thought it was the worst of his films. Youtube is a poor but viable alternative to the experience of the concert hall - not the sound of a concert hall, but a general compromise (SACD is for sound replication). I agree that the best thing to do is get a plum spot in the auditiorium and close your eyes, but in order to feel you're not missing out when you're missing out - Dig-concert hall.

[SpottyDorsord]

The irony of Karajan's films was that you were meant to watch the orchestra but his eyes were closed.

The youtube videos put up by the BerlinPhil are just advertising for the live broadcasts which are even weirder in the sense that they're LIVE. There's obviously a tragic element about sitting down at your computer and watching the Philharmonie concert live at some funny hour, and I know its that tragic element you're getting at, but what are people meant to do?

[Alessandro1985]

Youtube doesn't provide better sound than vinyl Nothing sounds better than vinyl except for live. . Vinyl is by far the best technology for reproducing sound man has yet invented.

[BerlinPhil]

The quality is acceptable for us. But of course you will find a better sound on our own video platform ...

[CzechViolist]

@etiterum

If you don't like it, don't watch it. Better yet, see them live!

[TheRohBoat]

@etiterum What you hear is what they are playing. I do not care if the sound is bad, I do not give a sh*t if you think this sound is not representative of how the BPO plays. This sounds great and I am extremely grateful for even this small clip. If you think the sound quality isn't up to par, get a subscription and quit your whining. Many people appreciate even small clips of the BPO performing on Youtube. You will never be are great as these guys, not with that attitude. Watch what you say.

[SonofDostojevskij]

With movement is this?

[BerlinPhil]

It is the finale, "Allegro con spirito".

[BerlinPhilfan94]

@BerlinPhil

Can you tell me if this video is from the same concert that was recorded and released on EMI's stunning Brahms' symphonies set?

[neversroad]

the best one lol

[Mephisto2102]

ein genuss es zu hören.. immer wieder ..sir simon rattle und die berliner symphoniker ..klasse

[MikeDrewYT]

One of my top 5 sections in the literature.  So glad to hear exactly how it is being played by this orchestra at this time.

[JEROyROSA]

That is just beautiful...

[MaestroStark]

Es tut mir leid, aber Rattle kann für mich keinen Brahms dirigieren, genauso wie Beethoven. Da sollte er lieber bei den moderneren Komponisten bleiben, da gefallen mir zwar oft die Stücke nicht, aber er kann sie gut dirigieren.

[lecksiekon]

lieber maestro... da kann ich dir teilweise sogar zustimmen.

allerdings beachte doch bitte auch die nicht gerade groß ausgeprägte fähigkeit der BP selbst - historisch korrekt zu spielen(historisches instrumentarium) oder wenigstens historisch korrekt zu phrasieren.

Brahms so bullig und abgestumpft anzubieten sollte in der heutigen zeit keine allzugrosse begeisterungsstürme mehr auslösen

[MaestroStark]

Tja, die Zeit der großen Dirigenten ist leider seit 20 Jahren vorbei...

[beccaria1764]

Ist ja lächerlich! Sorry! Aber man kann sich die Vergangenheit auch pauschal schön und die dirigentische Gegenwart schlecht reden... Also Vorsicht bei der Namenwahl ...

[beccaria1764]

Komisch, dass ich erst vor wenigen Wochen eine Hundertschaft Wartender beim Abbado-Konzert in Berlin gesehen habe. Und komisch, dass die Rattle-Konzerte eine Auslastung von weit über 90% haben. Schon klar, die haben alle keine Ahnung ... Klar waren Karajan & Co große Dirigenten - aber die haben hin und wieder auch max. Durchschnitt abgeliefert! Lohnt ab und zu, die "großen" alten Aufnahmen mal genau zu hören - das könnte z.T. heute kein Orchester mehr abliefern, so viel Fehler sind da drin!

[MaestroStark]

Natürlich gibt es das heute noch, aber es ist wie schon gesagt sehr selten geworden. Bei Furtwängler kann ich dir zustimmen, da sind oft einige Fehleer drin, was aber auch mit den Fähigkeiten der Musiker zusammenhängte. Aber ich finde die Karajanaufnahmen in den 70ern sind wirklich zum Teil so genial, dass ich bei keinem anderen Dirigenten diese so gut artikuliert, durchsichtig und Werkgetreu gehört habe, aberber einige waren auch nicht sooo gut.

[beccaria1764]

Würde ich z.T. zustimmen. Auch der Brahms aus den 70ern ist m.E. gut (die spätere Aufnahme eher weniger), der "Ring" ist genial. ABER: Ich finde es absolut o.k., wenn 2008/09 jemand wie Rattle hingeht und einen ganz anderen, sehr eigenen Brahms hinlegt! Wenn's genauso sein soll, wie bei Karajan, kauf ich halt gleich den Karajan. Glaube aber, die Sinfonien sind so vielschichtig, die vertragen eine große Interpretationsbandbreite! Und ich finde die von Rattle nicht die Schlechteste!!

[MaestroStark]

Es ist enorm wichtig, als Komponist eine "Interpretationsfreiheit" zulassen und das die von Dirigenten und Orchestern auch genutzt wird. Aber leider ist dann immer die Möglichkeit gegeben, dass sie einem nicht gefällt und das ist hier der Fall....

Ps: Der Ring ist wirklich so genial. dass ich denke, dass es bis jetzt keine annähernd so gute Aufführungen gab, die Karajan's Konkurrenz machen könnte.

[oniichann]

Wonderful! But I would like to listen to a bit better sound in quality.

[Lonegan63]

La Berliner nunca defrauda. Rattle dirige con maestría..It's a great performance..

[loriziell]

it sounds so epic