Brahms Complete Edition

I bought this 46-cd set when it first became available for $80. That's less than 2$ per disk! I would have gladly paid that much just for some of the individual sections. Of course, if the performances were terrible, or even mediocre, I would have been much better off seeking out individual performances or competing box sets like Brilliant Classic's collection of complete Brahms works. But I already had a couple of the individual works (portions of the symphonies conducted by Karajan and performed by the Berlin Philharmonic from their digital 1980s recordings, for example)and knew that they were outstanding performances. And the roster of performing artists was a who's who of the classical recording industry: Daniel Barenboim, Wilhelm Kempff, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maurizio Pollini, and countless others. Even though I had a good assortment of Brahms recordings, I felt this was an excellent way to fill in some of the gaps and introduce myself especially to some of the choral works and lieder that were unfamiliar to me. I haven't listened to everything yet, but I've listened a good deal to the orchestral works (cds 1-5), concertos( cds 6-8), chamber works (cds 9-19 - and wow is that clarinet trio with Karl Leister awesome!), and the German Requiem (Giulini, Vienna Philharmonic, Schmidt and Bonney) and Alto Rhapsodie (Sinopoli, Czech Philharmonic, Brigitte Fassbaender contralto). Everything has been a first-rank performance, if not an out and out first choice, with very good recorded sound as well. I haven't begun to listen to the choral works or the solo piano recordings, and I am already blissfully content with my purchase.The product description offers pretty good details about the set. Here is some additional information:CDs 1-5 offer the orchestral works. Symphonies 1-4 are conducted by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic (according to the booklet the performances were recorded in 1986-1988, not the 1970s cycle). I've long enjoyed Karajan's 70s rendition of the symphonies, and these seem very similar but in digital sound. Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic also perform the Haydn Variations and Tragic Overture. Serenades 1 & 2 and the Academic Festival Overture are ably performed by Claudio Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic. Abbado also leads the Vienna Philharmonic in a sprightly version of the Hungarian Dances.The concertos occupy CDs 6-8. Maurizio Pollini performs in the two piano concertos. The first is conducted by Karl Bohm leading the Vienna Philharmonic. The second is also by the Vienna Philharmonic, this time conducted by Claudio Abbado. The performances are very nice but won't displace my favorites (Gilels/Jochum, Fleisher/Szell). I have not yet heard Pollini's later collaboration with Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic but will seek them out based on his playing on these recordings. The violin concerto and double concerto are conducted by Karajan and played by the Berlin Philharmonic. Soloists are Anne-Sophie Mutter on violin and Antonio Meneses on cello.CDs 9-19 feature chamber music. Barenboim and Zukerman play the violin sonatas, Serkin and Rostropovich the cello sonatas, Karl Leister and Jorg Demus the clarinet sonatas. The clarinet trio (did I mention this was a stunning performance) is played by Leister, Tamas Vasery, and Ottomar Borwitzky. Vasery and Borwitzky are joined by Thomas Brandis and Worfram Christ on the other piano trios and quartets. String Quartets are played by the LaSalle Quartet. The Quartetto Italiano joins Pollini in the Piano Quintet in F minor, and the Amadeus Quartet participates in the other quintets and sextets.CDs 20-28 feature piano and organ works. Anatol Ugorski plays the 3 piano sonatas. Wilhelm Kempff plays the scherzo, 4 Ballades, and assorted Klavierstucke and Fantasias. Daniel Barenboim and Tamas Vasery play the variations. Alfons and Aloys Kontarsky play the works for two pianos (great set of Hungarian Dances!). Peter Planyavsky plays the organ works.CD 29-35 offer Lieder, 36-39 vocal ensembles, 40-43 choral works, and 44-46 works for chorus and orchestra. I'll leave others to comment on these performances as I have yet to explore their magic (except for the outstanding performances of the German Requiem and Alto-Rhapsodie mentioned earlier).I'll be enjoying these recordings for many years to come.

Great quality (DG) recordings, and for the price these can’t be beat. Looks like a fire sale on CDs because of a dying technology/format.

On the whole, I am delighted with this purchase. I will leave reviewing the quality of the recordings (though I am pleased) Instead, I will focus on packaging, since I am always curious about it and very few reviews deal with it.The box is the size of a jewel box cubed, so, quite small. The discs are stacked vertically in the box and each disc is house in amedium thickness cardboard envelope with the disc number in the upper right so that they can be browsed through with ease. The booklet lies on top of the discs under the flip top lid.My biggest complaint is that the set does not include the text of the lieder and vocal works. I would have loved a CD ROM with those. I do not speak German and frankly, with Schubert's lieder too, I find that knowing what the words mean greatly enhances my enjoyment.There is a book by Sams, The Songs of Brahms, that has the texts, but it is an expensive book...All told, no regrets, especially at this bargain price, but having the texts would have made this an out of the park set...

i have been kicking myself in the butt since i started listening to these discs. oh there is not a thing wrong with any of this wonderful music. its the fact i am about to turn 63 next month and i can't believe i waited this long to finally hear this mans work. and i gotta say my butt is getting sore, but the ears are in headphone heaven, Brahms you are the man.

I have always wanted a complete set of Brahms greatest works but on a tight budget thought if would takes years and lots of money. These performances are consistent, beautifully played, and while not always with A rated players certainly well played, with spirit, accuracy, and in great sonic settings. Well worth the prive.

I love it

Fabulous music

A great bargain. Jim Tavegia

He was definitely Beethoven’s successor. I believe in him. Despite what some critics say. This box set is an absolutely fantastic way to obtain his complete output. In majestic interpretations. I cannot recommend this set enough. Ignore at your own peril. Peck!

歌曲大全集を欲しいと思い探していましたが入手不可。そこで、それらを含んでいるこのボックスを買いました。其の意味で、満足です。

The music is great and I am enjoying the CDs. The amount of music that you get for the price is well worth it. I don't need to have that much in notes. I can always look things up on the internet.

長年ブラームスを聴いてきたので、セットで買うと手持ちのＣＤと重複する部分も多いのですが、自分のライブラリを整理するために購入しました。重複した部分は中古販売するなどで保管場所の節約にもなります。各演奏の録音年は冊子に記載されていますが、ちょっと見ずらいのが難点です(同じ演奏家でも複数回の録音があるので)。

The DG recordings are very good as I expected. I listened at first to the Lieder. However the lack of texts here and for the Choral Works is rather frustrating. I have some on single discs but not all. This problem may be overcome searching them online. Otherwise, "sampling" orchestral and piano and chamber works CD's have brought much pleasure especially as I have not heard some of the chamber music. I heartily recommend this boxset not only for Brahmsians but all lovers of the Beethoven-Schubert-Schumann line of Romantic music.Raymo-Arts Lover