Brahms Symphony 4 - Carlos Kleiber / VPO (audio)

Brahms: Symphony No. 4 (Carlos Kleiber/Vienna Philharmonic)
Composer: Johannes Brahms
Work: Symphonie Nr. 4 e-moll, op. 98
Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor: Carlos Kleiber
Location: Vienna, Musikvereinssaal
Date: 12 and 15 March 1980


Here's the award-winning 1980 recording of Brahms' last symphony, with Carlos Kleiber conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Kleiber opts for a lean, austere sound, which is greatly structured and highly energetic. It's a cliche, but once you start listening, nothing can distract you from following it all the way to the end. His tempi are fast, and the dramatic climaxes - the coda of the first movement, for instance - are punched home with the greatest vehemence. The final passacaglia movement is simply sensational: Brahms marks it "allegro energico e passionato", and that's exactly what it comes as. Kleiber's grasp of the architecture ensures a tremendously powerful impact.

Brahms began working on the piece in 1884, just a year after completing his Symphony No. 3, and completed it in 1885. The work was given its premiere in Meiningen on October 25, 1885 with Brahms himself conducting.

Movements:
1: Allegro non troppo (E minor)
2: Andante moderato (E minor/E major)
3: Allegro giocoso (C major [might also be interpreted as E phrygian])
4: movement: Allegro energico e passionato (E minor)


DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the music, the recording and the pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. If the video violates any copyright, I will gladly remove it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Brahms
• Johannes Brahms
• Kleiber
• Carlos Kleiber
• symphony
• No4
• Op.98
• Wiener
• Philharmoniker
• Vienna Philharmonic
• Classical
• Sinfonie
• Nr.4

[Erge08]

@Ana2010Claudia: Yes, it's superb and deserves more viewers. I uploaded it just 1 mth ago, and it seems that classics take longer to get to a decent number of clicks. (It's obviously not the case with Bieber, Gaga...) Also I didn't link it with other posts or social networks.

You're right, Kleiber has done an incredibly thorough job with the score. With the "cliche" I was referring to the worn statement, that it's impossible not to hear it to the end. Thank you very much for youre comment.

[keitharoberts731]

Heard a moving story on NPR about Brahms attending a performance of this one month before he died. Never really heard a full Brahms symphony until now. It is beautiful. Listen to movement 1 again, and tell me there isn't a resemblence to John Wiliams's score for Star Wars. The soft, descending strings toward the end especially.

[lascauxle]

Yes, it's a remarkable performance, it's great to have the opportunity of hearing it. And thank you for the clear and useful presentation/information.

[mikejr41387]

thank you for posting this famous recording

[Ana2010Claudia]

I am so glad that the number of viewers are increasing(almost 5 times in 3 weeks!!!).Brahms ,C. Kleiber and Vienna Philharmonic: extraordinary! Hope to watch more of your fine taste uploads.Thank you again !

[Ana2010Claudia]

Throughout these days I was thinking how come this outstanding( and probably one of the best performances of Brahms' 4thSymphony ) has so few viewers??

Actually , and please forgive me for this, I don't agree Kleiber has done a "cliche". I think he was extremely competent. Each measure, themes , instruments very carefully treated. About the climaxes and the informations : you are absolutely correct. I have no words to thank you so much for uploading this treasure !