Brahms: Symphony No. 2; Variations (1997)

The great thing about Charles Mackerras' recordings of Brahms' orchestral works isn't that he uses the Scottish Chamber Orchestra instead of the standard-sized late Romantic orchestra. True, the smaller-sized ensemble does permit details of Brahms' scoring to sound more clean. And true, the smaller-sized ensemble does allow aspects of Brahms' phrasing to register more clearly. But, as this coupling of the Second Symphony and the Variations on a Theme by Haydn demonstrates, the great thing about Mackerras' recordings of ... Read More

The great thing about Charles Mackerras' recordings of Brahms' orchestral works isn't that he uses the Scottish Chamber Orchestra instead of the standard-sized late Romantic orchestra. True, the smaller-sized ensemble does permit details of Brahms' scoring to sound more clean. And true, the smaller-sized ensemble does allow aspects of Brahms' phrasing to register more clearly. But, as this coupling of the Second Symphony and the Variations on a Theme by Haydn demonstrates, the great thing about Mackerras' recordings of Brahms' orchestral works is Mackerras. One of the great living conductors, a masterful interpreter of composers as disparate Mozart and Janácek and an insightful conductor of music for the concert hall and the opera house, Mackerras is, above all else, wonderfully musical. So while the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's playing is warm and lively, it is Mackerras' integrity and soulfulness that make his Second sing with irresistible blessedness and his Haydn Variations soar with irrepressible... Read Less