This is not your typical Brahms 2nd. Bernstein, unlike in his conventional earlier Sony recording - which is outstanding, by the way - at this later stage in his career saw this symphony as a bridge between the symphonies of Beethoven and those of Bruckner. The scale of the work is enormously expanded, compared to usual performances, and the work benefits in three ways: first (and foremost), it achieves a monumental, epic quality. Second, all the lush Brahms' lyricism is gloriously elicited. Third all of Brahms' details are clearly brought out.
This might not be the version you first turn to, but it is one that will leave you with a greater knowledge of the music than you would otherwise have.
This later Bernstein approach to conducting didn't always work, as in his DG recording of Brahms 3rd. But this 2nd is an amazing success.