Recorded 1961, 1962 & 1965
Hidden away in terms of front-cover titling is the Tragic Overture, a fiery but not rushed affair under William Steinberg (1899-1978), who sees the work whole without denuding drama or expression, the Pittsburgh Symphony dedicated if not always at this time (early-1960s) one of the elite American ensembles, such as Boston/Munch then Leinsdorf (followed in fact by Steinberg), Cleveland/Szell and Philadelphia/Ormandy, although the woodwinds are very personable.
Listening to the Symphonies in what might be termed ‘Karajan’s concert order’, the Fourth’s first movement sweeps along with strong emotions, and also poise, followed by an expansive slow movement, rather meditative, although a little more flow would be welcome, and a Scherzo that is a tad staid, completed by a passion-filled Finale, during which there’s a fine flute solo, and the closing pages are defiant. The longer-than-usual ultimate chord is effective.
The Symphonies that preceded the Fourth all have first-movement exposition repeats. Steinberg observes none of them. I mention this solely ‘for the record’ as their omission is made immaterial.
Symphony 2 is very well done, quite songful with different levels of concentration to avoid monotony, and Steinberg is also attractively flexible with pulse, the highpoint being a deeply felt slow movement, riposted by elegance in its successor, and rounded by an energetic and exhilarating Finale. Symphony 3 is also impressive, without autumnal baggage, yet not sidestepping complex expressive issues. Trusting the score, Steinberg is Brahms’s confidant.
The long-gestated First Symphony is initially weighty and burdened, unrelieved and trenchant through the Allegro (we’re a long way from transforming minor to major). The Andante (Adagio for Steinberg) is remarkably intense and heavy-hearted – with a richly articulated violin solo – and then an upbeat successor. The Finale is momentous in its striving and determination, Pittsburgh players inspired, with the triumphant coda hard-won if unfortunately spurting and rhetorical, not a totally ideal arrival.
The recordings, from the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, produced by C. Robert Fine, need some taming and are then more than serviceable, although timpani can be reticent, save for a few strokes in No.3’s Finale that Brahms didn’t write and some rolls that diminish the end of the First.
Excellent presentation – Steinberg background; critical reaction to his Brahms recordings on their first release; and the LPs’ liner notes – adorn DG 486 1815 (3 CDs).
Repeats in that era of recording, particularly in America were very rare. Here in London Boult included them all in his excellent series. I have a great fondness for Steinberg having bought the Beethoven Concerto under his wise baton accompanying the great Milstein on Columbia. My very first LP I seem to recall.
With Boult lingering forever in my heart I cannot countenance any other Brahms series sans repeats, certainly not postwar anyway.
Worth mentioning I think that Boult’s EMI/Warner set of Brahms (LPO mostly, LSO in #3) has repeats, but I believe his earlier Nixa set (all LPO) is without.
While I’m here, if clarification is needed, I rate Steinberg’s Brahms 2 & 3 very highly. A real shame about the extra timpani at the end of No.1 though, something shared with Ormandy and Toscanini. Colin
Well said, Edward. I can think of few Classical or Romantic symphonic works in which the repeats are dispensable. As Boult used to say, the second journey through a first movement exposition presents an additional release, momentum. The floodgates are open. I paraphrase. Many of Steinberg’s recordings provided the introduction to many of us collectors of a certain age. For me: his Pittsburgh SO Enigma and Tallis Fantasia, which I bought on Music for Pleasure at 13/ll. Milstein’s Beethoven Violin Concerto as you say (MfP reissue again). Steinberg’s Beethoven 5 & 8 reissued on the same label (long, well-transferred single LP side for Symphony 5; alarming clarinet overblow in the first movement development of Symphony 8…we teenage collectors have such things ingrained into our musical DNA). End of anorak reminiscences. Col, I will investigate his Brahms symphonies.
Always welcome, Andrew.