Bernstein conducts Brahms: Symphony No. 1 & Academic Festival Overture

Leonard Bernstein and the Wiener Philharmoniker perform Brahms at his most heroic – and his most playful. Brahms's First Symphony was nicknamed “Beethoven's Tenth” by his contemporaries, and if any conductor was equipped to bring out its warm romantic heart, as well as its epic struggle from tragedy to triumph, it was Bernstein. He was never happier than when guest-conducting this great Viennese orchestra, and the feeling was mutual. Their admiration for each other is audible, and on this occasion (captured in Vienna's Musikverein in 1981) Brahms's joyous Academic Festival Overture makes a delightful encore after the epic drama of the symphony.

Ensemble: 

Wiener Philharmoniker

Conductor: 

Leonard Bernstein