Brahms piano sonata No.3

[gradus]

Over the weekend I happened to see a sensational video performance of this piece.
Its not something I know but I thought it tremendous and odd that it figures rarely in recitals. Not owning a recorded performance could I ask if fellow boarders have favourite recordings to recommend?

[Pianorak]

Julius Katchen (Decca) my favourite, but would also rate Arrau (Philips) and Lupu (Decca) highly. Katchen the most flamboyant and Lupu surprisingly "sotto voce" in the opening. In fact all three take a different view of the work.

[aeolium]

I love the Clifford Curzon recording of the work, which can be found coupled with his wonderful performance of the Schubert D960 sonata.

[Sir Velo]

Perahia comes highly recommended, but I find his choice of tempi just too slow for the work to make its full heroic impact. A middle aged sage, rather than a leonine young turk setting out on life's adventure. Therefore, I'll second the Katchen recommendation.

BTW, for me, this is one of the indisputably great Romantic piano works; on a par with Chopin 3; the Liszt sonata and the Schumann Fantasie.

[vinteuil]

... Hardy Rittner on an 1849 Bösendorfer.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001IOMWG2

[amateur51]

Ha! Gimme Annie Fischer every time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdbrvoXk2yQ

[Jonathan]

I have Jonathan Plowright playing this Sonata on the Kingdom label - a very difficult disc to get, apparently. It's a very powerful performance which suits the character of the work. I will have to listen to some of these other performances people have mentioned...

[Pianorak]

Ha! Gimme Annie Fischer every time!

Indeed! Forgot I had that recording as it's filed under Bartok (what a surprise!)

[Pianorak]

I have Jonathan Plowright playing this Sonata on the Kingdom label

If you like that - you'll love this: JP playing Scriabin PS no. 2, Janacek Sonata X 1905, Szymanowski op. 3, Paderewski op. 16/4 and Rachmaninov Six Moments Musicaux op. 6 - some of my favourite pieces - all on the same CD. How lucky can I be! Alas, haven't got the Brahms Sonata.

[LeMartinPecheur]

This is a special favourite of mine. I discovered it through the Curzon performance on LP and that's the one I'd reach for, but Plowright, Grimaud, Harold Bauer, Lupu and Solomon are all on my shelves and have something to say.

Edit: it's this http://www.jonathanplowright.com/jpbrahms.jpg Plowright, on a cassette. Probably from a bargain bin many years ago, because I never liked cassettes much.

[gurnemanz]

The Katchen Brahms Solo Piano Edition was one of my first CD boxes (dated 1997). I have never really felt the urgent need to acquire other versions. I have Richter in Sonata 1 and 2, but I don't think he recorded 3 and Katchen is my only recording of it.

[Pianorak]

I think you are right - can't find no. 2. Have just relistened to Annie Fischer (BBC Legends, 1961 live recording) and the second, third and fourth movements are just spellbinding - as is her playing of the first and last movements, except I don't seem to get those.

Browsing on Amazon just now I came across Artur Rubinstein playing Brahms PS No. 3 - and had to snap it up. I have always loved his Brahms opp. 116-119, Ballades and other shorter pieces.

[Barbirollians]

Annie Fischer on BBC Legends - runaway winner for me.

[richardfinegold]

I think you are right - can't find no. 2. Have just relistened to Annie Fischer (BBC Legends, 1961 live recording) and the second, third and fourth movements are just spellbinding - as is her playing of the first and last movements, except I don't seem to get those.

Browsing on Amazon just now I came across Artur Rubinstein playing Brahms PS No. 3 - and had to snap it up. I have always loved his Brahms opp. 116-119, Ballades and other shorter pieces.

My only two recordings are Rubinstein and Helene Grimaud. Guess which I prefer.

[BBMmk2]

Julius Katchen (Decca) my favourite, but would also rate Arrau (Philips) and Lupu (Decca) highly. Katchen the most flamboyant and Lupu surprisingly "sotto voce" in the opening. In fact all three take a different view of the work.

I have the set of Julius Katchen Brahms. And this is no short of a wonderful performance. Get the whole box set if you can! :)