Christoph von Dohnányi, Philharmonia Orchestra - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3 (2011)

Signum’s first disc of 2011 with the Philharmonia returns to the works of Brahms with his first and third symphonies, conducted by Christoph von Dohnanyi.
The dual hindrance of Brahms’s self-criticism and a public expectation of a work to follow or surpass the symphonies of Beethoven, resulted in an unusually long formative period for the first symphony – a gap of over 20 years from 1854 initial sketches to the works premiere in 1876. The result was worth the wait however, dubbed ‘Beethoven’s Tenth’ by the conductor Hans von Bülow following a performance.
By contrast, the third is the shortest of all four of his symphonies and was completed over the summer of 1883. A more lighthearted work, some claim that it is inspired and influenced by Brahms’ close relationship with the singer Hermine Spies at that period in his life.
This recording follows the 2008 release of Brahms second and fourth symphonies with the Philharmonia and Christoph von Dohnanyi.