Brahms – The Complete Symphonies; Discovering Brahms
Staatskapelle Dresden; Christian Thielemann
Cmajor 715108
Sets of the complete Brahms symphonies on DVD are not all that common, so this one featuring the Dresden Staatskapelle with Christian Thielemann is indeed a welcome arrival. It features live performances from 2012 and 2013 recorded at two different venues, in the NHK Hall in Tokyo, Japan (1 & 3) – during the 10th NHK Festival – and at the Semperoper in Dresden (2 & 4).
A conductor very much of the old-school German tradition, Thielemann studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna and later worked as an assistant to no less a conductor than Herbert von Karajan. He has been chief music director of the Staatskapelle Dresden since October, 2009.
From the moment he raises his baton to a most appreciative Japanese audience in the Symphony No.1, it’s clear to everyone that this music holds a special place for both him and his orchestra. The ensemble invokes a deeply romantic spirit throughout, from the tempestuous opening movement to the jubilant finale. Little wonder this darkly uplifting music is often referred to as “Beethoven’s Tenth.”
In contrast to the tragically noble character of Brahms’ First Symphony, the Second is all placid geniality, so much so that it has often been referred to as his “Pastoral.” Recorded in the Semperoper in Dresden (before a seemingly less appreciative audience!) the orchestra demonstrates a keen clarity and finely judged balance. Thielemann is sometimes known for “pushing boundaries” with respect to tempos, but that is clearly not the case in these performances.
The collection also contains a bonus disc in the form of a 52-minute interview with Thielemann where he reflects on Brahms’ symphonies. During the conversation, he alludes to the solidity of the scoring, and the difficulty in achieving a cohesive orchestral sound, an aspect in which the Staatskapelle Dresden succeeds brilliantly. Indeed, it’s this wonderful melding of orchestral timbres that make the SD’s interpretations so appealing. One of the high points for me in the set (and there are many) is the famous third movement of Symphony No.3. For this poignant and wistful music, Thielemann coaxes a luxuriant sound from the players, the mellow brass perfectly complementing the warmth of the strings – and principal horn Erich Markwart deserves kudos for his hauntingly lovely solo.
Special mention must also be made of the exemplary camerawork in both venues. The shots of both Thielemann and members of the orchestra provide a live presence and further enhance these superb performances. It’s been said that Thielemann has the ability to make familiar repertoire sound new again and he certainly succeeds in doing so here. This set is a must-have for any serious music lover, a sublime combination of wonderful music magnificently performed. Highly recommended.