Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. LPO, Eugen Jochum. Rec. 1976

00:00 - I. Allegro non troppo
12:49 - II. Andante moderato
24:45 - III. Allegro giocoso
31:02 - IV. Allegro energico e passionato
Recorded: 29-30.VI, 1-5.VII and 1-3 & 8-9.X, 1976 Kingsway Hall, London

Brummy21
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Inspired Brahms
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2003
"It is difficult to concentrate on writing this while I listen to Jochum's Brahms 1st which just sweeps you along with its inspired conducting, wonderful orchestral playing and brilliant sound. These Jochum performances of three of Brahms' four symphonies, together with the Academic Festival and Tragic overtures, are vintage 1970s Kingsway Hall recordings, remastered on a 2CD bargain price issue from EMI. And what a bargain !
Eugen Jochum, steeped in the Germanic tradition, knows exactly how he wants these symphonies to sound and the London Philharmonic Orchestra rise to the occasion with playing they have probably never bettered, with producer Christopher Bishop giving them a sound to match.
A dramatic First Symphony is followed by a wonderfully lyrical Second and a warm and weighty Third. What a pity then, that to complete the Jochum Brahms Symphony set you will have to buy another 2CD bargain EMI issue to get the Fourth, but coupled with a far less inspiring Brahms German Requiem and Schicksalslied, from Klaus Tennstedt.
Still, don't let that put you off these 2CDs of inspired Brahms at almost a giveaway price. This set has replaced my Bruno Walter discs as my first choice listening for these Brahms symphonies - there can be no higher praise !"

"Brahms: I've written elsewhere about Jochum's extraordinary achievements in the symphonic works of Brahms and – aside from Bruckner – this is the music for which the conductor is most remembered. Jochum's first cycle was made with a post-war Berlin Philharmonic, and not only did he obtain staggering results given the time period, but nobody in Berlin has yet been able to match it (though Abbado comes close!) Late in his career, Jochum led the London Philharmonic in these marvelous performances. At first, it might have been disappointing to listeners to discover the Philharmonic had been chosen. After all, EMI had been making important recordings in Dresden, Vienna, and Berlin. The London Philharmonic would have (rightly) been seen as inferior, and maybe it still is.

Even for modern listeners, there's a good chance that some of us missed these recordings the first time around. The cycle was split across two two-disc sets a few years back, and while that might have made sense at EMI, it would probably have been best to just box the cycle up and call it a day. Here at last, everything is sensibly collected, along with the overtures and a smattering of overtures by Beethoven from elsewhere in London. The cycle shows the London Philharmonic in absolutely smashing form. Jochum elicits stunning virtuosity from his players, to the point where one doesn't regret the choice of orchestra at all. Again, comparisons with Furtwangler are telling, because at no point does the older conductor come close to executing similar results in his Brahms. Sure, Furtwangler has perhaps some of the greatest "conceptions" of Brahms ever, but what is a conception if you can't hear it outside of the conductor's head?

Each disc in this box is generously filled, sounds great, and represents each composer faithfully within the "Romantic" and Germanic tradition. Purists will undoubtedly prefer a lighter and more (currently) idiomatic sound, but for those of us who like this kind of thing (and admit it, there's still lots of us), this Icon set is one of the brightest and best in terms of how to acquire all of this music at once. I say this a lot these days, but both seasoned veterans and curious listeners will find endless enjoyment here." Brian Wigman

[MishaTheElder]

Wow. What an amazing rendition. I think I've heard almost all of the performances, but was surprised to know this one.
Unfortunately it's unavailable on any other streaming service...

[paullewis]

When I was a teenager I heard Jochum at the RFH/London conducting the LPO in Haydn’s late symphonies though as it was a long time ago I can’t recall exactly which numbers. No doubt they were superb performances as witnessed here with Brahms and he certainly started my interest in that sometimes neglected (in those days), composers works.

[EricGross]

Utterly revelatory. There are many great performances of this amazing work, but Jochum's is, in my opinion, the greatest of the great.

[orishaswishes]

I've never heard a recording where the final 3 movements were up to the level of the 1st movement - that is till now.
So so moving was this, and with a unified conceptual integrity I hadly knew could be achieved. Thank you Mr Jochum & co.

I hardly know Jochum, we must get better acquanted and very soon.

[killmrdarcy]

Although I'd still preference Carlos Kleiber's recording over this glorious reading after hearing it again, Jochum's LPO effort is of course a very great recording of this arguably greatest of all tragic symphonies. In K.'s version, this tragic aspect is for me more masculine and shocking, whereas in J.'s account it's more feminine, as demonstrated by the slower and almost plaintive tempi that he executes in the first movement, with the tragedy in this case being less epic and somehow more domesticated and almost resigned. With thanks to MS for posting this, while EJ was a very great - if not the greatest - of Brahms conductors - with the 3rd in this 1976 LPO cycle being an especially fine rendition.

[ecyranot]

I've always thought this piece the greatest ever written. Yet, over time, I have come to love the 4th movement even more. It really rewards repeated listening. The forward propulsion of the series of variations is astounding.

[ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

Combine this with the Jochum / Gilels Piano Concerti from four years earlier and you have the best of Brahms

[golfboy]

15:41-16:18
One of the most beautiful sections of music