Brahms / London Symphony Orch / Gergiev Symphonies 1 & 2 Tragic Overture Variations On A Super-Audio CD

Valery Gergiev launches his Brahms symphony cycle with the London Symphony Orchestra with this disc featuring the first two symphonies. Also included are the Tragic Overture and the Haydn Variations, Brahms' first orchestral piece and the first set of independent variations for orchestra by any composer. The epic first symphony, portraying dignity and grandeur, was ecstatically received at it's premier in 1876, and Brahms was soon heralded as one of the great symphonic masters. His second, with it's joyful melodies and pastoral beauty, portrays a more relaxed tone than it's predecessor. The Tragic Overture, on the other hand, is turbulent and tormented, with a powerful and magnificent energy. Gergiev's performances capture all of these varying moods, balancing clarity and drive with emotion and subtlety.

1. Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro 2. Andante Sostenuto 3. Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso 4. Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Brio 5. Tragic Overture, Op. 81 6. Allegro Non Troppo 7. Adagio Non Troppo 8. Allegretto Grazioso (Quasi Andantino) 9. Allegro Con Spirito 10. Thema - Chorale St. Antoni - Andante 11. Variation I: Poco Pi? Animato 12. Variation II: Pi? Vivace 13. Variation III: Con Moto 14. Variation IV: Andante Con Moto 15. Variation V: Vivace 16. Variation VI: Vivace 17. Variation VII: Grazioso 18. Variation VIII: Presto Non Troppo 19. Finale, Andante