In the second of two videos I review the latest batch of Deutsche Grammophon’s Original Source Vinyl Releases, mastered and cut all-analogue by Emil Berliner Studios from the original 4-track master tapes.
Here I talk about Karl Bohm’s classic recording of Beethoven’s 6th “Pastoral” Symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and Claudio Abbado’s account of Brahms’ 1st Symphony, also with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
I also discuss other landmark recordings of both works on vinyl and CD.
PLUS – a SURPRISE UNBOXING of the upcoming limited edition Giulini vinyl box set of Bruckner’s Symphonies 7, 8, 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, remastered and cut by Emil Berliner Studios.
You can watch Part 1 of this review here:
https://youtu.be/4sDplw2t15U?si=q6NdEE2K_WfJZmGz
I mention my colleague at Tracking Angle, Michael Johnson’s written reviews of these records. You can find those reviews at the links below:
https://trackingangle.com/music/daniel-barenboim-conducts-bruckner-s-romantic-symphony
https://trackingangle.com/features/bbb-reissued-aaa-by-ebs
You can read my own articles and reviews at https://trackingangle.com
Two articles on the Original Source Series:
Detailed introduction to the series, with technical information, review of first four titles (recently re-released), including Abbado’s “Rite of Spring” (which I featured in a recent video on this channel):
Preview of the upcoming Karajan/Bruckner cycle, remastered and cut AAA directly from the 8-track mastertapes:
https://trackingangle.com/features/karajan-bruckner-and-the-next-generation-of-deutsche-grammophon-s-original-source-vinyl-reissue-series
Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/music_on_record/
Recommended channels for classical music fans and collectors:
The Ultimate Classical Music Guide by David Hurwitz
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSf-…
Poetry On Plastic
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCShT…
Flowering Spikes
https://www.youtube.com/@FLOWERINGSPIKES/featured
The most recent Classical Bums livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/live/B3Z5azQBddU?si=Z6oLI9xTVH0wd9X0
An invaluable guide to all the different pressings of the main classical labels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iJYk…
Another excellent resource for new classical recordings is BBC Radio 3’s long-standing weekly broadcast “Record Review”. Shows remain available to listen to for 30 days after first broadcast:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06w…
My system, which has evolved over 20-plus years, is tube based and many pieces were acquired used. It was mostly put together with the invaluable help and ears of Eliot Midwood at Acoustic Image (https://acousticimage.com) who is also responsible for many of the fine recordings on the Yarlung label.
Well-Tempered Classic Turntable (round motor)
Micro-Benz Ruby 2 MC Cartridge
Phonostage: L.A. Audio (currently out of commission – so I am using the stellar Schiit Mani 2 phonostage)
Cary Audio CD/SACD 306
Preamp: Kora Equinoxe
Amps: Genesis Monoblocks 60 Amp Valve
Speakers: Silverline Sonatas with upgraded crossover and tweeters (Dynaudio)
Cabling: Aural Symphonics
Custom-made stands, with a Townshend Seismic Sink for the Well-Tempered turntable
source
Well you peaked my interest now on the Abbado/Brahms. Thanks!
That Abbado Brahms 1 was revelatory. Perfect transparency.
Come on Karl Böhm was an AUSTRIAN conductor. Have you been 😮watching too much Hurwitz or something?
For me, that Bohm Pastoral, along with Walter on Columbia, can be considered THE reference recording.
As much as I like and respect Karajan, to get his absolute best Beethoven cycle, one must cherry pick from all four of his recorded cycles. First off, he never really "got" the 5th. They're all fine, but none really memorable in the same way Kleiber is/are (both father and son). Karajan's mid-70s 9th is, I think his best, though I still love the 63 account for the truly heavenly voice of Gundula Janowitz.
I am so very happy to finally find a soul mate who thinks as much of Abbado's early account as do I. I admit that I imprinted on this recording, having purchased the set from a record club…subpar Italian pressings….I've since purchased used, the original European issued set. I really love the whole thing, especially that gorgeous 3rd.
Thanks, Mark. Well done as always! I picked up the latest 4 this weekend at Amoeba, and I must say that I agree with you on all counts. Jenn
Yes, the sound of the CSO brass. Saw two concerts, Beethoven 9th and Also Sprach after
the heart attack. And after passing, the Beethoven 6th came out, (non CSO Brahms 4th).
Culmination of a lifetime of conducting. More talk of Dynagroove, than performance.
The wonderful Reiner 6th was out in a wonderful JVC XRCD JMCR-0020. And also is
included from DSD sourced set of Reiner from RCA Poland. Because of no recent LP releases, and the closer mic sound, no new LP versions exist and this 6th has been
forgotten.
It is always a pleasure to watch your videos. Thank you very much!
Waiting for my Beethoven 6 and Brahms 1 in this series to show up. I've ordered most of the Original Source series so far and have not been disappointed. Almost passed on the Abbado Brahms 1 but after watching your review I'm glad I didn't. Agree that picking up the Bohm Beethoven 6 is a "no-brainer". Only have skipped out on the Verdi, Mozart and Gilels Beethoven piano sonata offerings but have bought everything else. Ordered the Giulini Bruckner 7-9 set while watching. I've already have got them on CD but these vinyl pressings look splendid. Agree that the Giulini VPO Bruckner 9 is the benchmark recording. A brilliant, glowing interpretation. Tempted by the Karajan Bruckner vinyl box set. I do have the CDs and the digital versions of the early symphonies (1-3, was it?) in this particular cycle suffered from the infamous DG "digital edge" which has me somewhat concerned about taking the plunge on a set that's not going to be cheap.
My favorite for years, didn't know about the SACD Japanese set! A must have!
Very interesting talk. Thank you. I hope, they will reissue Brahms 3 with Abbado and the Staatskapelle Dresden in this series.
Thankyou for this -i m a big fan of the yellow D.G. label -on vinyl of course!!
Thanks Mark part 2 was just as helpful especially the wider context of alternative pressings to consider. So….drumroll….. I’ve gone for Bohm.
Really?? We should be grateful to Deutsche Grammofon for releasing these Original Sources, honestly we are paying massive €, most of them are in the mid 50's or close to 60 € for a single album. Deutsche Grammofon should be grateful that someone is stupid enough to pay such outrageous amounts and on top of that they are only 39,95 $ in the U.S.A. How is that possible? nI live in Berlin and pay almost twice as much as people in America?
very tempted by some of these though at fifty pounds each is very expensive when i have the OG's, i buy remastered Rock albums for 25 to 35, sometimes more, maybe they will filter down to the used market in a year or three.
Thank you, Mark. The Giulini/Bruckner is very tempting. On the other hand, i can’t believe that i bought an 8-disc box set that already contains these fabulous sounding Bruckner symphonies on top of the 4 Brahms symphonies. And all that goodness for 15 Eur new. Ok, it’s on CD. But what a treat nonetheless. Can only recommend it highly to anyone not willing to spend the 10-fold on the Bruckner set alone.
PS: I have a ~500 DG LP collection and as much on CD. Unlike what seems to be a trend to say i think many of the 70’s recordings on 12” are much better than we are made to believe. Maybe with the exception of some piano solo recordings.
One could feel the fun you have doing this. I have all the TOS recordings and pre ordered that Bruckner set.
Enjoyed your talk, as always. Agree with you re Karajan's first recording of LVB's 6. It is warmer than his 3 rerecordings for DG. Karajan loved nature, by all accounts, so it is surprising that he sometimes sounds impatient in this symphony. I love his first LVB cycle for EMI. Has a freshness about it.
Dear Mark thank you so much for these suggestions. Since you are writing about Furtwängler Brahms First (Berlin, 1945, Fourth Mov.) I suggest you to find the cd boxset edited by Music & Arts “Furtwängler conducts Brahms” with several essays of exceptional conducting (ex.”Haydn Variations”) and a very well written booklet. Also extremely interesting the two writings by Furtwängler about Brahms …
We need more chamber music reissues.. please pretty please DG. ❤️🙏🏻
These are wonderful reviews, as usual. I hadn't been familiar with Bohm's take on Beethoven's Pastoral and it's everything you say it is. My Original Source copy played wonderfully and sounded pristine. I comoletely agree with your remarks on this one. I've had Abbado's Brahm's first since 1974. This has always been my go-to for this masterpiece and I've always loved it. Abbado was a great introduction for me into this work. However, I received 2 copies of this one from Amazon and they both had loud clicks and pops in the same place – the beginning of the second movement. I shied away DG's Original Source because, IMO, DG has always had pressing issues, and it seems these are no exceptions, at least on this one. It's very disappointing because it is wonderfully remastered and the sonics are fantastic. But it seems there are still some quality control issues, even with these premium reissues.