Brahms: Piano concerti nos 1 & 2

[Hornspieler]

I prefer the Second to be honest . I recall very clearly hearing those opening bars in a BAL in the 1980s and going out ang buying the big gatefold sleeve Gilels/Jochum mid priced set.

They are both magnificent works in their own right. I suppose my lingering affection for Nº 1 stems from a performance with Julius Katchen when I was playing the 3rd horn part. Throughout those high solo passages, he never took his eyes off me and he accompanied my every note (like a Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons)

A wonderful musician. I'm sure that he could have written out the full orchestral score (of either concerto) if asked.

A tragic loss to music at an early age.

HS

[Nick Armstrong]

a performance with Julius Katchen when I was playing the 3rd horn part. Throughout those high solo passages, he never took his eyes off me and he accompanied my every note (like a Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons)

Magical moments, HS

I hadn't realised he had such a sadly curtailed life

[neiltingley]

Solomon.

[verismissimo]

... I suppose my lingering affection for Nº 1 stems from a performance with Julius Katchen when I was playing the 3rd horn part. Throughout those high solo passages, he never took his eyes off me and he accompanied my every note (like a Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons)

HS

Wonderful story, HS. Thank you!

[amateur51]

Magical moments, HS

I hadn't realised he had such a sadly curtailed life

Great story, HS

I can remember going home one lunchtime from school and hearing the news on the radio. As I made to leave I popped into the kitchen to see my parents and said "Julius Katchen's dead!"

They gawped at me and then at each other unimpressed by my news & then carried on eating Parents! Who'd have 'em

[richardfinegold]

I have a preferance for 2, but I no longer find making comparisons between them a useful endeavor . They are so dissimilar as to almost be the work of two different composers.
1 sounds like it was conceived as a Symphony and then a Piano part was grafted on externally. 2 sounds as if conceived for the medium.

[Nick Armstrong]

I can remember going home one lunchtime from school and hearing the news on the radio. As I made to leave I popped into the kitchen to see my parents and said "Julius Katchen's dead!"
They gawped at me and then at each other unimpressed by my news & then carried on eating

Some decades remained for the youthful amateur to traverse before he could be sure of a sympathetic audience by starting an "RIP" thread in Frenchie's Forum!

[Bryn]

When it comes to the 2nd concerto and Gilels, much as I admire the later recording with Jochum, it's the one with Reiner that I I find the more satisfying.

Is anyone here familiar with the Lill/Hallé/Loughran recordings of 1 and 2? If so, would they please comment on them. I am tempted but have tended to find Lill a very variable performer.

[Andrew Preview]

When it comes to the 2nd concerto and Gilels, much as I admire the later recording with Jochum, it's the one with Reiner that I I find the more satisfying.

I'd second that. The earlier recording seems more passionate.

I also enjoy Kovacevich's recordings (both sets, but with a preference for the LSO/Davis versions). Freire is good too, but the chief glory of his set is the playing of the Leipzig Gewandhaus - the pianist is just a bit too reined in for my taste.

[richardfinegold]

Just pulled the Gilels/Reiner 2 off the shelves. I had recently purchased the Gilels / Jochum 2 and while I enjoy it I find that there is a little to much rubato there. It was sort of a cleansing experience to here the Reiner.
I've never heard a Gilels recording of 1. Should I go with Jochum?

[Barbirollians]

I like the Serkin/Szell records . Rather brash sounding recordings but exciting performances. Fleisher 's Szell recordings are better and Curzon's No1 the best of all Szell Brahms concertos .

The Kovacevich/Sawallisch 1 is definitely more inspired than their No2 - Angelich's recent records are also well worth investigating.

I told you I had too many.

[richardfinegold]

I told you I had too many

Don't we all?

[Roehre]

I told you I had too many

Don't we all?

No. Not more than 2 is enough (Haitink RCO/Arrau, Szell/Curzon)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Some decades remained for the youthful amateur to traverse before he could be sure of a sympathetic audience by starting an "RIP" thread in Frenchie's Forum!

[Barbirollians]

No. Not more than 2 is enough (Haitink RCO/Arrau, Szell/Curzon)

I could cope with only having Curzon/Szell in ! but not Arrau/Haitink only in 2 - it is enjoyable enough a bit sober suited but nowhere near the best versions like Gilels, Richter,Fleisher or Solomon .