Danish Chamber Orchestra, Ádám Fischer

Brahms was 43 years old when, after a long period of maturation, his First Symphony was published. The conductor Felix Weingartner commented on it ‘taking hold like the claw of a lion’ and its urgency marked a new phase in Brahms’s musical development. The Second Symphony is traditionally seen as the pastoral element in the cycle, while the Third, with its melodic beauty, has the courage to end quietly, an act of astonishing serenity. The compelling Passacaglia finale of the Fourth Symphony represents a fitting summation to one of the greatest symphonic cycles in the classical canon.

2022 marks 25 years of close, innovative cooperation between Adam Fischer and the Danish Chamber Orchestra. This has resulted in a number of releases, and gained international recognition. The conductor commented: ‘The many years together have created the foundation for a mutual understanding of music and a highly distinctive style of playing that has been recognised far beyond Denmark’s national borders.’

The previous set of Beethoven’s complete symphonies (8505251) was the most-awarded Naxos release in 2019. It won the Opus Klassik and International Classical Music Awards ‘Best Symphonic Recording’ categories, as well as ICMA’s ‘Recording of the Year’ award.

It was also one of WQXR New York’s ‘Best Classical Recordings of 2019’: ‘[Fischer] drives his Copenhagen-based band with a fierce meticulousness that rivals Karajan, Kleiber, and other greats.’

Adam Fischer has also recorded the complete symphonies of Mozart (with the DCO), Haydn and Mahler. This new Brahms edition will be of much interest for completionists, as it focuses on the works’ chamber music qualities.