Koussevitzky Conducts Brahms

More often then not, Serge Koussevitsky's manipulations of tempo and phrasing in his 1938 Brahms Fourth draw more attention to himself than the composer. The finale, in particular, loses all sense of cumulative impact. Conversely, Koussy's 1944 Third boasts stylish, controlled playing that is no less sumptuous than the norm for this conductor. Among the 78 era's many persuasive Brahms Thirds, this one has always stood out, and may well be this conductor's finest recording.--Jed Distler