Johannes Brahms (1833-97)

The Gramophone guide to the best Brahms recordings

Johannes Brahms (photo Tully Potter)

Introduction

One of the giants of classical music, Brahms appeared to arrive fully armed, found a style in which he was comfortable – traditional structures and tonality in the German idiom – and stuck to it throughout his life. He was no innovator, preferring the logic of the symphony, sonata, fugue and variation forms. Read the full biography

More on Brahms...

Amez-vous Brahms? – James Jolly talks Brahms with conductors Bernard Haitink and Marin Alsop, both at work on symphony cycles.

Brahms – 10 Essential Recordings

New to Brahms? Here's a list of the top 10 recordings to help start your collection...

1. German Requiem – Monteverdi Choir; ORR / Gardiner
2. Violin Concerto – Joshua Bell (vn) Cleveland Orchestra / Dohnányi
3. Symphony No 4 – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Carlos Kleiber
4. Clarinet Quintet – King (cl) Georgian (vc) Benson (pf) Gabrieli Quartet
5. Piano Sonatas – Julius Katchen (pf)
6. Piano Concertos – Nelson Freire (pf) Gewandhaus Orchestra / Chailly
7. Symphony No 2 – London Philharmonic Orchestra / Marin Alsop
8. Piano Quintet – Leif Ove Andsnes (pf) Artemis Quartet
9. Cello Sonatas – Mstislav Rostropovich (vc) Rudolf Serkin (pf) 
10. Symphony No 3 – Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Claudio Abbado

Building your Collection

Select a musical category below to explore the finest Brahms recordings available.

Orchestral Chamber Instrumental Vocal

Piano Concertos Cpte Cello Sonatas Piano Sonatas German Requiem

Symphonies Cpte Clarinet Quintet Songs

Symphony No 1 Piano Quintet

Symphony No 2 Violin Sonatas

Symphony No 3

Symphony No 4

Violin Concerto

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