Brahms loved four-hand duets and performances for two pianos and cultivated these intensively during his lifetime. But in contrast to Schubert - who left an immense number of original works for two pianists to posterity - the majority of Brahms' output for piano duo consists of arrangements of his own orchestral and chamber music works. Although such works make up a considerable part of his catalogue, they are still not fully appreciated.
Brahms often made couplings of two works with contrasting characters: think for example of the two clarinet sonatas op. 120, the two piano concertos, the two string quartets op. 51, and the list could go on. The same applies to the symphonies: Brahms wrote the First in 1876, followed the next year by the Second. After a long pause he composed the Third in 1883, and the Fourth in the summers of 1884 and 1885.
Previously released as separate discs (Symphony 1 TLS219/Symphony 2 TLS218/Symphony 3 TLS236/Symphony 4 TLS252) - each symphony coupled with other repertoire; it is very worthwhile to bring the four symphonies together. At the time of release, each disc received excellent reviews on the European continent, but in the United Kingdom they may have been missed.
*If you make a purchase through the above link, we receive a small fee. This allows us to continue providing you with reviews and articles. By purchasing something via our link, you support us in writing new articles. Products will never be more expensive for you if you use our links.