Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 on record

[richardfinegold]

This 23/10/48 performance so stunned me in the Spring, I've scarcely been able to contemplate listening to any other....



You can try the first movement here....

https://www.pristineclassical.com/collections/artist-vladimir-horowitz/products/pasc092

As I said back then....

"Despite some sonic problems - acetate surface noise a little higher than average for the time, a tendency to some indistinctness at lower levels, occasional peak distortion - you can easily appreciate that miraculous Toscaninian ability to switch from power and energy to lightness and grace, and Horowitz's astonishing, almost bar-to-bar chameleonic rubato which is an essential part of his individualistic expression of the work's passing moods. Toscanini's effortless orchestral response not only keeps up but seems to inspire the soloist in itself...."

"...you're instantly gripped by the urgency, the drama and pathos of the first solo - then Toscanini thrillingly charges in with his lithe leonine orchestra at their finest!
I was genuinely shocked at just how superior it sounds....
(Overall timings - an urgent 44'23!)".

I have listened to it twice now. I really cannot add anything to what Jane has described. It’s a stunner and in very decent sound.
I never would have associated Horowitz with this work

[Barbirollians]

Anda/Karajan picked up in a charity shop this week . Very good indeed unusually coupled with a slowish but fascinating account of the Grieg with Kubelik conducting the BPO.

[teamsaint]

Anda/Karajan picked up in a charity shop this week . Very good indeed unusually coupled with a slowish but fascinating account of the Grieg with Kubelik conducting the BPO.

Spooky, I’m spinning that Anda/Karajan right now.

[Nimrod]

Brendel and Abbado always impresses me. Baremboim too with Glorious John!

Welcome back Gustav5, long time no see. Whilst I quite like the Barenboim 2nd piano concerto of Brahms I much prefer the performance of Brahms first with Barbirolli. I was quite surprised to read recently that Barenboim always watched JB rehearsing the other works on the programme when he was playing in Manchester and absorbed a lot of conducting know how as a result.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Welcome back Gustav5, long time no see.

Sadly, Gustav5's post dated from four-and-a-half years ago, and s/he is no longer a member of the Forum - at least, not under that particular nom-de-web.

[Richard Tarleton]

The problem is I can see what both sides of those mixed reviews mean. It's that kind of recording. Not much help, I know, but buy it and see what you think. Incidentally, I was present at the 1991 Prom concert that immediately preceded the sessions in Berlin. Abbado's later recording with Pollini is probably to be preferred so if you have that you may want to save your money.

Nearly 5 years late and I seem to remember mentioning this before - Brendel himself said in 2001, in "The Veil of Order":- "I was never that taken by the B flat major. I've played it, because it's a great challenge.....I have not been satisfied with my performances. I find the first movement wonderful, the others, however, not on the same level....". And he wasn't keen on his D Minor with Abbado either - "On my CD of Brahms's First Piano Concerto with Claudio Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic the piano has slipped somewhere into the orchestra instead of being positioned in front of it. Happily there is a splendidly balanced concert production with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis".

Having said which I saw Brendel play 2 with the New Philharmonia under Schmidt-Isserstedt in 1971 and thought it was magnificent at the time, but what did I know then (or now ).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Interesting - I'm deeply impressed by Brendel's recording of the Second with BPO/Abbado, and was by the Prom they gave. I wonder, does it matter if a performer isn't satisfied with his/her performances of a work? Maybe, as in this case, the performer's "great challenge" led to a much greater response to the work than might be the case with works that s/he feels much more "taken" with?

[silvestrione]

Interesting - I'm deeply impressed by Brendel's recording of the Second with BPO/Abbado, and was by the Prom they gave. I wonder, does it matter if a performer isn't satisfied with his/her performances of a work? Maybe, as in this case, the performer's "great challenge" led to a much greater response to the work than might be the case with works that s/he feels much more "taken" with?

Well, that settles it, I've ordered it....you could go 'new' for £30 odd, or used for £1.17 + postage. Easy....

[DracoM]

Gilels for me.

[cloughie]

By far my favourite of all piano concerti. Is there a bad one? Most of those who take it on do it well. Ashkenazy with Mehta or Haitink, Serkin, Fleisher, Gilels with Reiner or Bohm, Backhaus with Schuricht or Bohm .... the list goes on!

[BBMmk2]

Interesting - I'm deeply impressed by Brendel's recording of the Second with BPO/Abbado, and was by the Prom they gave. I wonder, does it matter if a performer isn't satisfied with his/her performances of a work? Maybe, as in this case, the performer's "great challenge" led to a much greater response to the work than might be the case with works that s/he feels much more "taken" with?

I’ll have a look at that!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... Gilels with ... Bohm

Jochum?

[DracoM]

Jochum on mine..........??

[Bryn]

Jochum on mine..........??

Jochum, yes, but I reckon the Reiner even better.

[cloughie]

Jochum?

You’re right, ferney ‘tis indeed Eugen!