Brahms: Piano concerti nos 1 & 2

[Bamig]

There is a bit of a familiarity breed contempt about some of the comments on the Gilels/Jochum - I also grew up with them and to be honest if I was forced to keep only one I think it would be this pairing . Everything is right for me - I love many other recordings of these great works but they are extremely satisfying all round .

Agreed, although familarity has probably only bred overfamiliarity in my case. Because they're recordings I got to know when I didn't have so many CDs (and had much more listening time), when I hear another recording of the concertos, little differences in interpretation can feel like almost shocking novelties. For a while at least, the refreshing new CD can become 'my new favourite version.' When I return to the Gilels / Jochum, I'm always struck especially by the beauty of the orchestral sound - never congested, nothing forced - it's hard not to take the superb piano playing for granted.

[Barbirollians]

As a teenager in the late 1960s one of my prized possessions was a Rococo (Canadian label) LP bearing a 'live' performance of Brahms piano concerto no 1 given by Solomon with a very young Lorin Maazel (1956).

A few months ago I was delighted to re-acquaint myself with this wonderful performance issued by Guild

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Guild/GHCD2353

There is also another 'live' performance by Solomon with BPO/Jochum on Tahra, I believe but I cannot find it just at the moment.

It is indeed a wonderfully lucid performance from Solomon but the recording is ropey and at times the piano sounds like a church hall upright .

The woodwind playing also leaves a great deal to be desired in places . I must go and listen to his commercial recording with KUbelik again . I don't recall his conducting as being as poor as suggested either by Bryan Crimp in his biography of Solomon or by Robert matthew-Walker in his notes for the Guild release which remarkably fail to mention the recording quality.

[Barbirollians]

The Testament recording wins hands down to my ears- OK Kubelik may not be Szell with Curzon but Solomon is in fine form and the Philharmonia are so superior to the Italians . Dennis Brain throwing in some gorgeous horn playing in particular towards the end of the first movement .

[Hornspieler]

The Testament recording wins hands down to my ears- OK Kubelik may not be Szell with Curzon but Solomon is in fine form and the Philharmonia are so superior to the Italians . Dennis Brain throwing in some gorgeous horn playing in particular towards the end of the first movement .

Actually, the opening theme of the 2nd concerto (in B flat) is played by Dennis Brain, but those beautiful high solos (in F) and all of the second movement (1st and 2nd horns tacent) are played by the 3rd and 4th horns who were, I believe, Roy White - an Australian who returned to his native country shortly afterwards - and Alfred Cursue.

When Brahms wrote for 4 horns, he invariably gave the higher parts to 3rd and 4th horns.
In the 1st piano concerto and the St Anthony Variations, it is the 3rd horn who sweats, not the 1st. (e.g. 1 & 2 in D, 3 & 4 in F).

The first time I heard this concerto and I don't think that Solomon has ever been surpassed - but Katchen and Gilels come close.

HS

[BBMmk2]

That's saying something then, HS!

[Barbirollians]

Anyone heard the new Grimaud recordings ?

[richardfinegold]

Anyone heard the new Grimaud recordings ?

I listened to a few excerpts on i tunes. I don't find that listening to brief excerpts helps me decide about a potential purchase, except for assessing sound quality.

[pastoralguy]

I have them sitting in a pile of new releases, unopened due to family commitments. Maybe I'll get a shot ago them this weekend and will report back.

[DublinJimbo]

Anyone heard the new Grimaud recordings ?

I listened to No. 2 from my download. Can't say I was overly impressed (all a bit matter-of-fact, lacking in the humanity and general lightness of approach which I expect from this concerto). I'll give it another chance some time, and might listen to No. 1 later tonight.

[verismissimo]

Recently acquired Brahms PC1 by Kovacevich LPO/Sawallisch from 1991 and it's really excellent!

Also by Kovacevich, late Brahms - Op 116/117/118/119 and the Handel Variations. Equally good.

I've always liked his playing - first heard at St John's Smith Square in 1965/66 - but never collected his recordings.

[Barbirollians]

That is a terrific performance with SBK . The Second Concerto was not so well reviewed as I remember and I didn't buy it - anyone got it ?

[Barbirollians]

Heard the finale of No2 with Grimaud tonight on Classic FM - perfectly fine but did not have me rushing off to the river people to order.

[muzzer]

I have the Grimaud. Pretty full-on, as you might expect. I suspect if you're a fan of her then you'll like it. I have also snapped up the Kovacevich from amazon 2nd hand cheaply, tho it doesn't look in great nick. Yet to listen. Will check out Solomon.

[BBMmk2]

I be certainly sticking with my classic account of the Gilels/BPO/Jochum recording! I don't care what that reviewer on last week's BaL, said, at all!

[Barbirollians]

His recordings remain my benchmark - although I might on occasions prefer Curzon in No 1 and Richter in No 2 say- the Giles/Jochum is the most satisfying set of the concertos bar none .