This complete Brahms cycle from the year 1978 does more than consolidate a chapter in the recording history of the Eterna classical music label. It also returns to the original sound of the (former) Berlin Symphony Orchestra, for which the conductor of this recording - GÃ¼nther Herbig - had so much regard. In a time-consuming process, the analogue Eterna master tapes have been newly processed and remastered for the first time in over 20 years. GÃ¼nther Herbig's time as principal conductor of the orchestra ended in 1983 after a dispute with the leading political organs of the GDR. His move to the USA fast-tracked his international career. He was appointed head of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and later directed the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Tours to Japan, South America and Australia and conducting commissions with major European and American orchestras added lustre to his international reputation. GÃ¼nther Herbig celebrates his 85th birthday on November 30, 2016. Today's Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra was founded in 1952 as the Berlin Symphony Orchestra in East Berlin (the Soviet sector of the city) and won international recognition under the direction of Kurt Sanderling in the 1960s and 1970s. Sanderling faced significant hurdles to the development of the orchestra - once the Berlin Wall went up on August 13, 1961, about two thirds of it's musicians were no longer available, as they lived in West Berlin - making his achievement all the greater. The orchestra will mark it's 65th anniversary in 2017. The Brahms cycle thus provides ample reason to celebrate - as a document of the teamwork between the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra and as proof of the excellence of it's former principal conductor - and because, for the first time, it's original sound has been faithfully renewed.

Tracklist:

I. Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro - Meno Allegro
II. Andante Sostenuto
III. Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
IV. Adagio - PiÃ¹ Andante - Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Brio - PiÃ¹ Allegro
Tragic Overture in D minor, Op. 81
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Adagio Non Troppo
III. Allegretto Grazioso (Quasi Andantino)
IV. Allegro Con Spirito 1
I. Allegro Con Brio 1
II. Andante 1
III. Poco Allegretto 1
IV. Allegro 1
I. Allegro Non Troppo 1
II. Andante Moderato 1
III. Allegro Giocoso - Poco Meno Mosso - Tempo I 1
IV. Allegro Energico E Passionato - PiÃ¹ Allegro 1
Thema. Chorale St. Antoni: Andante 1
Variation 1: Poco PiÃ¹ Animato 2
Variation 2: PiÃ¹ Vivace 2
Variation 3: Con Moto 2
Variation 4: Andante Con Moto 2
Variation 5: Vivace 2
Variation 6: Vivace 2
Variation 7: Grazioso 2
Variation 8: Presto Non Troppo 2
Finale: Andante 2
VorgefÃ¼hle 2
Vergangenes 3
Farben 3
Peripetie 3
Das Obligative Rezitativ 3
Introduktion: MÃ¤ÃŸig Ruhig 3
Thema: Molto Moderato 3
Variation 1: Moderato 3
Variation 2: Langsam 3
Variation 3: MÃ¤ÃŸig 3
Variation 4: Walzertempo 3
Variation 5: Bewegt 4
Variation 6: Andante 4
Variation 7: Langsam 4
Variation 8: Sehr Rasch 4
Variation 9: L'istesso Tempo, Aber Etwas Langsamer 4
Finale: MÃ¤ÃŸig Schnell 4
Funeral Music for String Orchestra 4
Livre Pour Orchestre

UPC: 885470009117
Label: Berlin Classics
Release Date: 3.24.17
Format: CD

Brahms / Gunther Herbig / Berliner Sinfonie-Orch - Johannes Brahms: Complete Symphonies (CD)