Brahms: Piano concerti nos 1 & 2

[Barbirollians]

One of the great things about these threads is that it makes you go off and listen to recordings you have not for a good while .

The 1947 Solomon/Philharmonia/Dobrowen - is superb - so musical . Love the proper allegro of the first movement, no self-indulgence from Solomon and Dennis Brain in the opening bars . The Andante is sublime - just wish they had re-recorded it say with Kubelik in stereo before Solomon's stroke.

[Andrew Preview]

The Kovacevich/Sawallisch 1 is definitely more inspired than their No2

I fully agree. By contrast, the Kovacevich/Davis No.2 is from the top drawer. I recall that it was the modern recording recommendation the last time we had a BaL on this work.

[Barbirollians]

I fully agree. By contrast, the Kovacevich/Davis No.2 is from the top drawer. I recall that it was the modern recording recommendation the last time we had a BaL on this work.

And I see that Solomon in 1947 was the winner !

[BBMmk2]

I fully agree. By contrast, the Kovacevich/Davis No.2 is from the top drawer. I recall that it was the modern recording recommendation the last time we had a BaL on this work.

These artists have recorded this work but not No.1? Sounds very good indeed, hmmm....

[Hornspieler]

And I see that Solomon in 1947 was the winner !

I've just taken a look at my copy of the Solomon/Dobrowen recording and I am a little confused here. The solo callist is listed on the Testament CD as Haydn Rogerson but I am sure that the original 78 rpm mono set listed the soloist as John Moore.

Can anyone enlighten me? John Moore was certainly the Philharmonia's principal cellist at one time and I have never heard of Haydn Rogerson.

HS

[Barbirollians]

These artists have recorded this work but not No.1? Sounds very good indeed, hmmm....

I understood they recorded both .

[Barbirollians]

I've just taken a look at my copy of the Solomon/Dobrowen recording and I am a little confused here. The solo callist is listed on the Testament CD as Haydn Rogerson but I am sure that the original 78 rpm mono set listed the soloist as John Moore.

Can anyone enlighten me? John Moore was certainly the Philharmonia's principal cellist at one time and I have never heard of Haydn Rogerson.

HS

How intriguing ? There is also reference to Haydn Rogerson in the booklet note too . I don't have any earlier versions so I cannot help .

Going back to Katchen have you seen this HS ? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Juliu...7555772&sr=1-6Very good reviews but I felt I had to draw a line somewhere !

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Haydn Rogerson was principal 'cellist of the Hallé in the '40s, HS, and taught at the Royal Manchester College of Music. The only reference to his involvement in the Philharmonia Orchestra I can find is a review of that Solomon CD, in which his playing is highly praised! Simultaneously a tribute and insult to John Moore it appears.

[Nick Armstrong]

Brahms fans won't want to miss both concertos as well as the four symphonies when the Leipzig Gewandhaus take up residence at the Barbican later this year: http://www.gewandhaus.de/gewandhaus-...on-paris-wien/

Aimard in the First Piano Concerto, Volodos in the Second... I'd have preferred them the other way round...

[Barbirollians]

I should have preferred Angelich or Andsnes to either of them .

[HighlandDougie]

I should have preferred Angelich or Andsnes to either of them .

Very fine pianists both but Arcadi Volodos, heard live and on record, is in my experience an exceptional pianist even in this age of exceptional pianists. Anyone who can play, inter alia, Mompou, Albeniz, Scriabin, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Schumann and, unforgettably, Schubert with his combination of virtuosity and poetry is worth hearing at any time. I'll be fascinated to hear him in Brahms.

[Nick Armstrong]

Very fine pianists both but Arcadi Volodos, heard live and on record, is an exceptional pianist even in this age of exceptional pianists. I'll be fascinated to hear him in Brahms.

I agree. I love his Rach 3. I'd have loved to hear him in Brahms 1 though...

[BBMmk2]

Brahms fans won't want to miss both concertos as well as the four symphonies when the Leipzig Gewandhaus take up residence at the Barbican later this year: http://www.gewandhaus.de/gewandhaus-...on-paris-wien/

Aimard in the First Piano Concerto, Volodos in the Second... I'd have preferred them the other way round...

that be a real treat! I would much rather have Aimard doing both! I just think he sooo good! he has the Midas touch.

[silvestrione]

What a fascinating thread, which I've only just come to.

I have always thought the D minor an obvious ground-breaking masterpiece (from the very opening, reinventing the orchestra), but been a little disappointed by the second, surely just a little too large and lumbering...the main theme of the first movement heroic-hollow, the movement full of grand gestures, but...I know most listeners disagree with me. I do enjoy listening to it, particularly once that first movement is over!

For no. 1, I've always thought Barenboim/Barbirolli very special...a young man's performance, with all the conductor's experience to support him (and has there ever been better recorded/played strings pianissimo than in the slow movement?), big-hearted and emotional, as the piece seems to call for (it feels like a young man's work, but I'm not sure of Brahms' age at the time).
However, Pollini/Bohm is a contrary view, as is the Solomon, also completely convincing. And I love Arrau with Philharmonia/Guilini for its weight and lived-through feel.

For no. 2, Barenboim again, but the later Pollini/Abbado is very special.

In concert, I heard Rubinstein in the first, with Barenboim conducting! Magical in the slow movement. Also Curzon in Bournemouth, playing from the score, which distracted me a little (I was young).
In 2 I heard Ashkenazy when young, unforgettable. Head cocked listening to the cello...

[cloughie]

These artists have recorded this work but not No.1? Sounds very good indeed, hmmm....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brahms-Piano-Concertos-Ballades-Scherzo/dp/B0000253KQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357823559&sr=1-5

a bargain I'd say