Who has the best Brahms Symphonies available...

Some listeners have said that they want to hear a balance more in favor of the winds, but for others (including me), Bychkov has it exactly right. The Macal/CzPO set on Exton also seemed good, but I've only heard parts of it on Spotify, so I didn't hear its audio quality at full resolution.

BTW, I assume your question was with respect to hi-rez recordings - otherwise, there are zillions of possible recommendations! ;-)

Two of the four are up for streaming on QOBUZ..., posted on April 2, 2016 at 08:21:11

Ivan303
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while four are up for streaming on TIDAL.

Brahms is 'four', right?

Who can remember?

Anyway, listening to 'two' on TIDAL right now and no surprises. Yes, EXTON does a good job. Lots of lower strings, no screechy violins, all is good.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

The Bychkov discs seem to be the uniform choice among..., posted on April 3, 2016 at 11:28:30
Pete Watt Audiophile Posts: 527 Location: San Diego Joined: August 18, 2001	Brahms Symphoy choices on SACD. I assume this is based primarily on performance. Performance aside, how are the sonics? Second question: are their better cycles where the sonics are superior? Thanks, Pete

RE: Bychkov..., posted on April 3, 2016 at 18:48:16

Ivan303
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Not the one to ask as I am very biased in favor of just about every thing he's recorded, which IMNSHO is not nearly enough.

That said, comparing the Bychkov with the Zdenek Macal version of Brahms 4th and I'd say you can't go wrong with either and MAYBE the EXTON recording MIGHT have the edge but that's only QOBUZ in 44.1 Lossless FLAC (albeit local playback not live streaming).

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

Lest we forget Ken-ichiro Kobayashi...., posted on April 3, 2016 at 19:28:31

Ivan303
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Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
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No slouch at Brahms, and a great recording as well.

First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

Hi-Rez Highway

Who has the best Brahms Symphonies available...

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