Brahms: Second Symphony.

Brahms Second Symphony After a reading of the score of the Brahms Second Symphony, Edouard Lalo railed: "An inferior spirit whose pick-ax has probed every nook of counterpoint and modern harmony" and whose "imitativeness is always insignificant." Another contemporary, Max Reger, held that Brahms was "the greatest living composer," the Second Symphony placing him "in a direct line after Beethoven." These were typical reactions during Brahams's lifetime. Today, we hold Beethoven to be almost sui generis and Brahms sitting in the pantheon of music alongside the other great Bs. And the Second Symphony, against which Lalo expostulated, is seen as a work of depth and eloquence, rooted in a musical tradition which perished with the composer. What can also be said in Brahms's honor is that he hwas hated by Wagner and returned the compliment. What I like and respect about a new recording of the work by Claudio Abbado conducting the Berline Philharmonic is its measure and its dignity. There are no tricks and no bravura. It is fine, solid Brahms, and that is more than enough. (Deutsche Grammophon CD 427 643-2.)