Brahms: Requiem / Runnicles · Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus · Berliner Philharmoniker

[mezzosms]

K73f, thank you! Having been a member of the ASOC for 13 seasons, I can say that this is one of my favorites, too for many, many reasons. The takeaway is that lyrics and music combine to bring us spiritual lessons that uplift our soul. As much as I admire the composer, credit is due Maestro Runnicles, who possesses a poet's heart ,and is the rare sort of conductor who is able to help other musicians express theirs. It has been a privilege beyond words to have sung with him since 2000!

[IUFTR]

Runnicles is fast making the ASO Chorus into a typical "opera chorus."

What a PITY!

[kkellygeorge]

@IUFTR You couldn't be more wrong. Having sung with Donald for the past 10 years (I sing in the video above) I can say that he absolutely oozes musicianship and quality. In this particular movement the voices cry out "Death, where is thy sting? and, Oh grave, where is thy victory?" Brahms' orchestration is massive and the fury comes strictly from the arrangement. This is Brahms' anger you hear. Robert Shaw would have LOVED this performance. Listen to the entire program before judging.

[IUFTR]

@kkellygeorge Brahms, it seems, did not intend that his opus is to compete with such as the Verdi Requiem.

This performance is an emtional bath, shouty and frequently off pirch, overall exaggerared. No fault of the chorus, the orchestra is too loud and unbalanced, Opera is emotional. Runnicles does not seem to fathom the brainy needs of this opus. The Howard influence may have altered Shaw's sound, but his recording is still the one to be studied. Sure you enjoyed all that undisciplined sound.

[kkellygeorge]

@IUFTR I'm gathering that due to your advanced years and seemingly personal axe to grind with Donald that you're now unable to accurately hear pitch. His fame and admiration actually seem to irk you. I gather that you are unable to find a single piece conducted by him that you value musically. Go ahead and pay the 9€ and watch the entire program. When was the last time you conducted at the Philharmonie with brass choirs in the balcony? Or when was the last time you've worked with Maestro R?

[k73f]

Just watched the whole requiem and i've decided this is now one of my favorite pieces EVER written. oh my god. 

[IUFTR]

Such viiolence! This is not Verdi opera! Wild conducting. Good Grief!

[Brighteyes1ful]

Very High Quality volume and tone excellent top marks.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[infinitejest1972]

Correction to the recording date...there were three performances of the Brahms Requiem: Friday 18 December, Saturday 19 December, and Sunday 20 December 2009. The video is from a live web broadcast of the Sunday concert - a magnificent production! We are so fortunate to be able to hear/see this again and again. Thank you!

[BerlinPhil]

@infinitejest1972 You are right! We will correct this right away.

[Ericlb]

lol, cruising scene at 0:37

[InvaderJoshua]

The Epicness has touched me

[mortalfrog0815]

is braunstein assisting wei lu? how come?

[BerlinPhil]

@mortalfrog0815 The leader is Daishin Kashimoto, our 1st Konzertmeister since last season.

[mortalfrog0815]

@BerlinPhil oh crap... sorry for that!

[miguelmuelle]

What a thrill to hear our singers and see Maestro Runnicles perform with this iconic group of musicians! Better than hosting the Olympics, if you ask me :o)

[ThaSchwab]

Atlanta Symphony Chorus singing with one of the greatest orchestras in the world? I'm jealous.

Well, the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus has sung with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, but this is different!

[MD051]

@ThaSchwab

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Berlin Philharmonic also performed Brittens War Requiem in 2003 and the great Berlioz Requiem in 2008.

[Huddiethegreat]

What's considered to be the best recording of this piece? I've been thinking about getting this for a while.

[mrgranados2]

@Huddiethegreat You could do a lot worse than either Atlanta Sym recording with the ASO Chorus

[donde2k]

@Huddiethegreat I'm partial to the Levine recording because it has Kathleen Battle in her pre-wacko days. It's the closest I can come to reliving the magnificence when Maestro Giulini conducted her w/ the LA Phil in the Brahms.

[Huddiethegreat]

@donde2k Since I love Levine so much I think I'll go with his recording, Thanks.