The piano concerto was no bravura lollipop to Brahms, who elevated concertos almost to the ... more
status of symphonies. But his two piano concertos are certainly not lacking in drama or virtuosity and they are given with edge-of-the-seat vitality here by two of music's giants--or three if you count the orchestra, the mighty Berlin Philharmonic, playing superbly. Perhaps the immediacy of the readings is heightened by the fact that both recordings are taken from live performances: the first concerto in the Vienna Musikverein in 1997 and the second in the Berlin Philharmonie in 1995. And if live performances conjures up thoughts of audiences making unsolicited contributions, don't worry. Either the Austrian and German audiences were particularly well behaved or the DG engineers have done miracles, because there is not so much as a single hand-clap, let alone any coughing and spluttering.As two Italians, Abbado and Pollini can be expected to turn in spirited performances, which they certainly do. But these are also thoughtful readings that will long outlive the appeal of more showy interpretations. --Keith Clarke
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Advantages: Mutter's eloquence and sensitivity in older recording are enhanced here. Disadvantages: None at all!
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NOTE: To commenter #3, posted comment today, 27-8: the message I left in your gb, sir, should sufficiently clarify the situation.
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CD Notes:
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833 - 1897)
Konzert für Violine und Orchester D-dur op. 77
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major
11. Allegro non troppo (22' 55)
Cadenza: Joseph Joachim, rev. Ossip Schnirlin
22. Adagio (9' 20)
3 3. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace - Poco più presto (7' 55)
ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856)
Fantasie für Violine und Orchester C-dur op. 131
Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major
Transcription: Fritz Kreisler
4 Moderato semplice ma espressivo - Allegro marcato - Molto tranquillo - Tempo primo - Cadenza - Molto tranquillo (13' 12)
ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER, Violine
New York Philharmonic
KURT MASUR ...
Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion Disadvantages: over-recorded
INTRODUCTION
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov was one of the most promising composers emerging from Russia after Tchaikovsky. His early works included the youthfully energetic PianoConcerto in F sharp minor, Op.1, an orchestral fantasia The Rock, the opera Aleko, several songs, piano pieces (including the famous Prelude in C sharp minor, a work that would plague Rachmaninov with its popularity throughout his life) and the First Symphony in D minor, Op.13. Rachmaninov had high hopes for the latter; it was his magnum opus up until that time. However the symphony proved to be the biggest disappointment of his career, causing a tremendous crisis in his creative life. All the critics jumped on the work, most notably César Cui who compared it with the Seven Plagues of Egypt and condemned the work as modernist trash. The effect ...
Advantages: dynamic and gripping Disadvantages: none
Fantastic to have another additional collection of all five of Beethoven's piano concerti. Spanning his life we can really get to grips with his evolving use of the orchestra in these works. From the Third's action packed finale to the Fourth's beautiful expressions to the grandeur of the much loved Fifth.
The playing is precise, dramatic and full of energy; as indeed it should be.
Aimard's playing is always well crafted and beautifully shaped. This is an insightful disk and has taken the musicians an awful lot of hard work. A must-have for any lover of Beethoven's piano music. If you usually go for his chamber music or string quartets why not branch out and explore Aimard's wonderful take on these concerti? Well worth buying and indeed an inspiration for myself and other pianists alike. ...
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