Brahms 2nd piano concerto

[gmw]

As a teenager I used to love the Bb piano concerto by Brahms. My parents had an LP of it but I have no idea which. When I grew up I bought the Rudolf Serkin, George Szell and Cleveland Orchestra on CD. Somehow I lost interest in it to the extent that I developed a feeling that it was a work that I found saccharine and slick, and that I rather disliked.

Recently, and after many years I picked up Jochum, Gilels with the BPO on DG in a charity shop and Deja-vu struck; what a piece!

Which other recordings?

[rauschwerk]

The finest recorded performance known to me is Solomon's. When I listen to his thrilling playing I can easily disregard the dated sound. This pianist's complete technical mastery allows him to play the most awkwardly written passages in the first movement right up to speed, and it goes without saying that he was a consummate musician. The Philharmonia under Issay Dobrowen give him wonderful support.

[Nick Armstrong]

As a teenager I used to love the Bb piano concerto by Brahms. My parents had an LP of it but I have no idea which. When I grew up I bought the Rudolf Serkin, George Szell and Cleveland Orchestra on CD. Somehow I lost interest in it to the extent that I developed a feeling that it was a work that I found saccharine and slick, and that I rather disliked.

Recently, and after many years I picked up Jochum, Gilels with the BPO on DG in a charity shop and Deja-vu struck; what a piece!

Which other recordings?

This thread contains much discussion of that question: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ti-nos-1-amp-2 - including at post #24 my personal view that (although the Gilels/Jochum performance of No 1 is terrific) their Bb concerto reading doesn't feel to me as 'right' as the Richter/Leinsdorf recording

Also, this post in the 'Downloads' thread mentions the latest recording of both http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...612#post620612 On repeat listening, I think it's the recording of No 2 that is the better in this set (it seems to have quite a lot to do with the sound quality - No 1 seems slightly lifeless and distant).

[Barbirollians]

Didn't the Solomon win BAL a few years back despite its age ?

Heavens the Presto site tells me it did but in SEptember 2001 more than a few years now .

[Richard Tarleton]

Somewhere on one of those threads I passed on Brendel saying "I was never that taken by the B flat major. I've played it, because it's a great challenge, and because I wanted to see to what extent I could master it. I have not been satisfied with my performances. I find the first movement wonderful, the others, however, not on the same level".

I was at one of those performances, in 1971 (New Phil/Schmidt-Isserstedt) and thought it tremendous at the time whatever he thought - but I think I can see what he means about the work. I used to have Gilels/Jochum on LP, still have Pollini/Abbado on LP but haven't played it in years. As is increasingly the case it's the sort of orchestral work I'm happy to wait for a broadcast performance of, by whoever happens to be playing it. (My steady stream of new CDs are mostly for 4-5 players or less, or music written before 1620!)

[Petrushka]

It took a long time for the penny to drop regarding the Brahms Piano Concertos and I only began to appreciate them as I've got older. I saw Brendel/BPO/Abbado at the Proms in 1991 in the 2nd PC and bought the subsequent CD but the work itself never did much for me. Fast forward to 2008 and I bought a CD of Wilhelm Backhaus with Karl Böhm and the VPO and everything just fell into place. I then went on a bit of a splurge with both of the Brahms PCs but that Backhaus recording remains a favourite.

[Bryn]

As I have not heard Brendel in the B flat major, but did have the misfortune to attend an RAH performance he gave of the D minor many moons ago. It was atrocious. I put it down to an off night but perhaps the Brahms concertos just are not his forte. Of the two, the B flat is by some degree my favourite. My go to recording is Gilels, though with Janos Starker and rest of the then the Chicago SO under Reiner, rather than the also very fine Jochum.

[pastoralguy]

My introduction to the Brahms piano concertos was Roger Woodward's recording of the first concerto with the Philharmonia orchestra under Kurt Masur on RCA. Afair, it never made it to cd. It was, iirc, a very big performance but with a lovely slow movement.

I've always loved listening to and playing those concertos. Lovely music and there have been many fine recordings. I recently acquired both works played by Martino Tirimo on CfP.

I have both Bredel recordings with Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic and have enjoyed them both.

[Barbirollians]

The finest recorded performance known to me is Solomon's. When I listen to his thrilling playing I can easily disregard the dated sound. This pianist's complete technical mastery allows him to play the most awkwardly written passages in the first movement right up to speed, and it goes without saying that he was a consummate musician. The Philharmonia under Issay Dobrowen give him wonderful support.

Thanks for reminding me to listen to the Solomon - I found myself playing it twice ! this morning . It is an absolutely wonderful performance and I love his quicker tempo for the first movement and in particular with Solomon the finale really takes off . Available at a reduced price from Presto at the moment - unless you are completely allergic to late 1940s mono I recommend it wholeheartedly especially to sceptics.

[BBMmk2]

My introduction to the Brahms piano concertos was Roger Woodward's recording of the first concerto with the Philharmonia orchestra under Kurt Masur on RCA. Afair, it never made it to cd. It was, iirc, a very big performance but with a lovely slow movement.

I've always loved listening to and playing those concertos. Lovely music and there have been many fine recordings. I recently acquired both works played by Martino Tirimo on CfP.

I have both Bredel recordings with Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic and have enjoyed them both.

Abbado and Tirimo, BPO?

[makropulos]

Abbado and Tirimo, BPO?

Do you maybe mean Pollini/Abbado rather than Tirimo (who recorded the Brahms concertos with - I think - Yoel Levi and Sanderling)?

As for favourite versions of No. 2, Richter/Leinsdorf, Freire/Chailly, Gilels/Reiner and Gilels/Jochum are all performances I like very much. Solomon/Dobrowen is another I would not want to be without.

[cloughie]

Do you maybe mean Pollini/Abbado rather than Tirimo (who recorded the Brahms concertos with - I think - Yoel Levi and Sanderling)?

As for favourite versions of No. 2, Richter/Leinsdorf, Freire/Chailly, Gilels/Reiner and Gilels/Jochum are all performances I like very much. Solomon/Dobrowen is another I would not want to be without.

I would not take any of those away but would add the Ashkenazy/Mehta and Katchen/Ferencsic.

[makropulos]

I would not take any of those away but would add the Ashkenazy/Mehta and Katchen/Ferencsic.

Yes, Katchen is terrific. I could/should also add Fleisher/Szell, Serkin/Szell and –for its warmth more than its agility –Backhaus/Böhm.

[Barbirollians]

I think we discussed this before but I think Freire/Chailly is OK but not all it was cracked up to be at the time it was released . I would agree with makropoulos's other suggestions . I always think it was a shame Curzon recorded No 2 with Knappertsbusch rather than Szell .

[cloughie]

Yes, Katchen is terrific. I could/should also add Fleisher/Szell, Serkin/Szell and –for its warmth more than its agility –Backhaus/Böhm.

The earlier Backhaus with Schuricht is a lovely performance also.