Johannes Brahms (1833-97)
Tue 12th March 2013
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...
- German Requiem – Monteverdi Choir; ORR / Gardiner
- Violin Concerto – Joshua Bell (vn) Cleveland Orchestra / Dohnányi
- Symphony No 4 – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Carlos Kleiber
- Clarinet Quintet – King (cl) Georgian (vc) Benson (pf) Gabrieli Quartet
- Piano Sonatas – Julius Katchen (pf)
- Piano Concertos – Nelson Freire (pf) Gewandhaus Orchestra / Chailly
- Symphony No 2 – London Philharmonic Orchestra / Marin Alsop
- Piano Quintet – Leif Ove Andsnes (pf) Artemis Quartet
- Cello Sonatas – Mstislav Rostropovich (vc) Rudolf Serkin (pf)
- 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
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