Brahms’s four symphonies, as well as his major concertos, the Haydn Variations and both overtures, are released in a cycle by Sir Colin Davis and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, made during his celebrated period as Chief Conductor in the 1980s and 90s, on five CDs. Kyoko Takezawa is soloist in the Violin Concerto, while Gerhard Oppitz plays the two piano concertos with “refreshing alacrity” (ClassicsToday). MusicWeb International found that Davis’s symphonies made “a superbly consistent cycle without a weak moment”.
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83
Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4 (Complete)
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Brahms: Tragic Overture, Op. 81
Brahms: Variations on a theme by Haydn for orchestra, Op. 56a ‘St Anthony Variations’
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77