After struggling to complete his first symphony, Brahms composed his Symphony No 2 with ease and the work overflows with a relaxed, pastoral beauty. His Double Concerto is laced with a fiery gypsy passion and pitches violin and cello against orchestra.

This release is Bernard Haitink's first on the LSO Live label and marks the start of a complete Brahms Symphony cycle, music in which Haitink excels. Gordan Nikolitch and Tim Hugh, the LSO's Leader and Principal Cellist respectively and accomplished soloists in their own right, step out from the orchestra for the Double Concerto.