Stephen Heersink writes:

>I have:
>
>Jochum DG
>Jochum EMI
>Karajan DG
>Walter Sony
>Kleiber DG
>Wand RCA
>Swallisch Philips
>
>and I still don't like Brahms' symphonies.

Then why bother?  If that group of interpreters doesn't do it for you,
I'd go to another composer.  You seem to have given JB a fair try.  De
gustibus.  However, you might try another hearing as a 50th birthday
present to yourself.  Views and perspectives change, and Brahms starts
to make more sense after a while.

Eric