Which Brahms Piano Concerti would YOU choose ...

[Josquin des Prez]

Gilels is one of my top 10 pianists, so, yeah... 

[Lilas Pastia]

For a set, none surpass Gilels-Jochum-BPO. For alternative #1, I'd go with the hugely different Arrau-Kubelik and Donohoe-Svetlanov. For alternative # 2, Backhaus-Bohm-VPO is surpassingly gorgeous, and Magaloff-van Otterloo is searingly intense. If the orchestra had been the Amsterdam instead of the Hague, it would have eclipsed all competition, including the rather similarly conceived Richter(s).

[orbital]

This said, I think I'm gonna have to splash out on both ... and ditch the Biret performances on Naxos.

I would not ditch Biret with anything Brahms. Given I've not heard the concerti, her solo Brahms piano music is excellent IMO. But of course, if you're getting only one, it's better not to take chances  

[orbital]

Rubinstein is almost never mentioned in this material. Are they bad? I've never heard them although his work in trios feels like he's right at home with Brahms.

[Josquin des Prez]

Rubinstein is almost never mentioned in this material. Are they bad? I've never heard them although his work in trios feels like he's right at home with Brahms.

Rubinstein is phenomenal in all of Brahms chamber music. I wonder if he ever recorded any of the solo piano music. I'd be curious to try some of that.

[op.110]

Rubinstein is phenomenal in all of Brahms chamber music. I wonder if he ever recorded any of the solo piano music. I'd be curious to try some of that.

I've heard some recordings of various intermezzi. Nothing special.

[Steve]

Rubinstein is phenomenal in all of Brahms chamber music. I wonder if he ever recorded any of the solo piano music. I'd be curious to try some of that.

I wouldn't use 'phenomenal' to describe Rubinstein's Brahms....

[Josquin des Prez]

I wouldn't use 'phenomenal' to describe Rubinstein's Brahms....

His recording of the Piano Quartets is unmatched as far as i'm concerned. I'd say that's phenomenal enough. Of course, Guarneri get's a lot of praise there, as well.

[op.110]

His recording of the Piano Quartets is unmatched as far as i'm concerned. I'd say that's phenomenal enough. Of course, Guarneri get's a lot of praise there, as well.

Interestingly, I was having a conversation with someone today on Brahms and she told me that Rubinstein's recording (with Guarneri) of the Piano Quartets is the best she's heard.

[Steve]

His recording of the Piano Quartets is unmatched as far as i'm concerned. I'd say that's phenomenal enough. Of course, Guarneri get's a lot of praise there, as well.

The Guarneri is more deserving of praise as far as I'm concerned.

[FideLeo]

HERE'S FREIRE PLAYING BRAHMS 1 in multiple parts (a so-so performance)

The performances on the Decca recording are GREAT actually. 

[Iago]

In the Richter/Leinsdorf/CSO recording, Richter is marvelous. But as is usually the case Leinsdorf should have stayed at home.
He was substituting for an ailing Fritz Reiner. He didn't do his job (very rarely did) and the CSO would have been better off with no conductor at all.
I will never understand why or how he got the job of Music Diretor of the Boston Symphony. In my view, he was somewhat successful in opera, but a total incompetent in concert.

[Que]

Rubinstein is almost never mentioned in this material. Are they bad? I've never heard them although his work in trios feels like he's right at home with Brahms.

Rubinsteins' recordings of the concertos are magnificent, one of my favourites.
He did several, but best are the no.1 with Reiner and the no.2 with Krips - marvelous!

His recording of the Piano Quartets is unmatched as far as i'm concerned. I'd say that's phenomenal enough. Of course, Guarneri get's a lot of praise there, as well.

Interestingly, I was having a conversation with someone today on Brahms and she told me that Rubinstein's recording (with Guarneri) of the Piano Quartets is the best she's heard.

Word.
(And add the piano quintet).

Q

[Mark]

I would not ditch Biret with anything Brahms. Given I've not heard the concerti, her solo Brahms piano music is excellent IMO. But of course, if you're getting only one, it's better not to take chances  

The problem with the Biret Brahms Piano Concerti is not so much her playing as the orchestral work. I'm not an expert by any means in evaluating recordings of these works, but the Naxos ones seem to lack 'snap' ... and they're spoiled for me by what I hear as a 'congested' recorded sound. It all gets a bit too muddy for my liking.

[Mark]

Quick update: I've gone with this to kick off with:



Completely contrary to my original intentions, but that's me all over.

[George]

The problem with the Biret Brahms Piano Concerti is not so much her playing as the orchestral work. I'm not an expert by any means in evaluating recordings of these works, but the Naxos ones seem to lack 'snap' ... and they're spoiled for me by what I hear as a 'congested' recorded sound. It all gets a bit too muddy for my liking.

You'll love the Szell/Serkin recording. It's just what the doctor ordered.

[Mark]

You'll love the Szell/Serkin recording. It's just what the doctor ordered.

Let's see how Freire handles them, first. Then Gilels. Then Serkin if I'm still not satisfied.

[George]

Let's see how Freire handles them, first. Then Gilels. Then Serkin if I'm still not satisfied.

On second thought, the Serkin may not suit your sonic needs anyway.   

[Mark]

On second thought, the Serkin may not suit your sonic needs anyway.   

I did wonder about that, actually.

[Todd]

And as an aside, what opinions do you have of this?

A bit late perhaps, but it's good.  Better can be had.