Amongst the standard performances for this repertoire, here conducted by Jaap van Zweden, the current music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Great performances by 2 of the best Dutch orchestras, both were under his artistic leadership for years. This mainstream repertoire for all classical music lovers should be in your library anyhow. A must-have for Brahms addicts.Van Zweden, with his famous string background shows his skills and brings us a very balanced performance. Other information: - "This is an unfailingly warm-hearted, fullblooded Brahmsian sound and seems to represent a genuine attempt at redirecting the modern symphony orchestra towards the sort of sound-mix Brahms himself is likely to have heard." Christopher Howell, MusicWeb International. - "Even at super-budget price, it almost impossible not to be mindful of established rival versions when reviewing the merits of this release from Jaap van Zweden on Brilliant Classics." Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International.