Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 on record

[neiltingley]

Have recently for a song added the Zimerman/Bernstein to my collection. Wonderful playing and in particular articulation from Zimerman . VPO and Bernstein seem to be having a great time too. Adds up perhaps to less than the sum of its parts. Very good though.

If not quite - Solomon /Dobrowen with Dennis Brain sending shivers up the spine with his horn playing
Gilels/Jochum
or Richter and Leinsdorf.

Which recording is your favourite ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNLMLMZSxw0 - Sokolov.

I found another one that I didn't know about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70upVIsx_kA

[Roehre]

Why not take a break from Brahms and try Reger's Piano Concerto in F Minor, written as a homage (or an hommage...) to Brahms? Even if you can't cope with the outer movements (it seems few can...) you'll discover a Largo con Gran Espessione that'll make you catch your breath with its meditative and sublime character. ...

[gustav5]

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

[BBMmk2]

Brendel and Abbado? I must've missed this one.

[visualnickmos]

.....Zimerman/Bernstein to my collection. Wonderful playing and in particular articulation from Zimerman . VPO and Bernstein seem to be having a great time too. Adds up perhaps to less than the sum of its parts. Very good though.

Listened to this earlier today; it is quite spectacular, imvho - the strength and tension in the first movement is wonderful.

[Petrushka]

Brendel and Abbado? I must've missed this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Piano-Concerto-Alfred-Brendel/dp/B00000413W/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1397681843&sr=1-3&keywords=brahms+piano+concertos+brendel

[gurnemanz]

Just listening again to Klemperer/Anda - really exciting!

[Nachtigall]

Prompted by an earlier post, I'm about to listen to the Backhaus/VPO/Carl Schuricht again. It was one of the very first LPs I bought in my teens. But I've also kept up to date with more recent versions, which have not, I think, had a mention so far in this thread:

1. The justly praised Nelson Freire with the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Chailly
2. Nicholas Angelich with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and Paavo Järvi

[gustav5]

on phillips

[BBMmk2]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Piano...certos+brendel

How do you find this recording, Pet? Mixed reviews on amazon.

[Petrushka]

How do you find this recording, Pet? Mixed reviews on amazon.

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.

[BBMmk2]

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.

Hiya Pet, thanks! I probably opt for the Pollini, methinks!!

[Barbirollians]

Have just bought the Backhaus/Bohm - what a deeply insightful and magical performance - very different but made much the same impression on me as a very special experience as the Curzon/Szell Brahms 1 .

Terrific playing for an 83 year old and quite the best performance of the finale I can think of .

[jayne lee wilson]

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!)".

[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!)".

Sold! And as a download not to expensive.