Bernstein’s readings of Brahms have never been conventional, neither could they be described as being tied to tradition. These skillfully recorded concerts provide an exciting interpretation from a passionate musician who was never content with reproducing the ordinary – a legendary document.

This collection includes all four Brahms symphonies with Leonard Bernstein, conducting two of his favourite orchestras: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Bernstein began his career as a conductor in Tanglewood in 1940. He was studying under Sergei Koussevitzky (founder of the Tanglewood Festival) and it filled him with pride to conduct Brahms’s Symphonies nos 2 & 4, at the 1972 Tanglewood Festival, as he recalled his teacher conducting the same two symphonies there.

Since his first engagement with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in the mid-1940s, the famous musician worked closely with the ensemble on numerous concerts that span half a century, and later took the role of honorary conductor.

DVD 1
Brahms - Symphonies 1 & 3 (94 mins)
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded live at the Great Concert Hall, Jerusalem, 1-3 August 1973, directed by Humphrey Burton

DVD 2
Brahms - Symphonies 2 & 4 (86 mins)
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Recorded live at Tanglewood, August 1972, directed by Robert Englander
Bonus: Bernstein at Tanglewood

Picture format: 4:3 - NTSC
Sound: PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles Bonus: E, D, F, S
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Running time: 180 mins
Production: 1972-1973