There have been many recordings of the Brahms symphonies but few have the passion, vitality and drive of István Kertész’s Vienna Philharmonic cycle. This 4CD collection brings together all of Kertész’s Brahms recordings for Decca. The two Serenades were recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. His Wiener Philharmoniker Brahms cycle began in May 1964 with a recording of the Second Symphony and continued in 1972-73 with the remaining symphonies and the Variations on a theme of Haydn. Recording of the Variations commenced on 1st March, 1972 and upon Kertész’s passing (16th April, 1973), the orchestra completed the recording on 14th May ,1973, conductor-less, in his memory.
JOHANNES BRAHMS
CD 1
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
5Variations on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a
CD 2
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
CD 3
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Wiener Philharmoniker
István Kertész
CD 4
Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 11
Serenade No. 2 in A major, Op. 16
London Symphony Orchestra
István Kertész