Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1

[Harry]

But, Harry, what he said was one of the greatest . . . .

Ja, das leuchtet ein, sie habben recht my dear friend!

[Harry]

Moi aussi! Whenever I hear people talk about how "Brahms is too light and pretty", I break out the PC #1. Although it certainly has very beautiful moments, the overall impact of this piece is astounding. Angst, pathos, THUNDER...all in the 1st movement alone!

Maybe that is my problem Andy!

[Haffner]

Maybe that is my problem Andy!

I used to be under the impression that both Mozart and Brahms were too often "pretty" and "refined". But my opinion was based on limited experience/ignorance, and I doubt that is the case for you. You might just not like the music, which is quite valid of course!

[karlhenning]

Well, but Harry, knowing that you like the Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov piano concerti, makes your resistance to Brahms a little more bearable, somehow 

[Haffner]

The Cello Concerto grabbed me from the opening measures.

JA!


Overall, Brahms for me is a fantastic composer. But if I were to choose a composer even more indicative of the lyricism of Early-to-mid period Romanticism, I'd have to save that designation for R. Schumann.

[Steve]

Curzon/Szell: My favorite!



Pollini/Abbado: It is not the best, but it is worth listening. Especially Berlin Philarmonic's delicate harmony is very beautiful.

I was unaware of an Abbado/Pollini Recording. How is the piano?

[Poetdante]

I was unaware of an Abbado/Pollini Recording. How is the piano?

Pollini's playing is not powerful and strictly accurate as his 1970's recordings.
However, his smooth pedalling made very delightful sound, and is also well-suited with the delicate BPO's orchestration.
I like 3rd movement in particular. 

For Zimerman/Rattle,
I think Zimerman's piano is really the best since Gilels, but Rattle's BPO is not so impressive.
What a pity..

[BachQ]

Why bother with the Rattle/Zimerman recording of only the first concerto (which is indifferent at best) when you can get both concertos as inexpensively by Nelson Freire and Riccardo Chailly?  That set of both concertos with the Leipzig GO is also much better.

Zimerman is superlative, and he infuses his playing with more fire than with his Bernstein/DG recording.  But there doesn't seem to be much magic between Zimerman and Rattle (as there was between Zimerman and Bernstein -- a real dialogical magic and synergy). 

Rattle is above average -- nothing great (but the BPO is superb).

[Manish]

Has anyone heard the Rubinstein/Reiner version of this  concerto.  Its now available as an SACD from RCA Living Stereo.  How does it compare to the others mentioned

[Steve]

Has anyone heard the Rubinstein/Reiner version of this  concerto.  Its now available as an SACD from RCA Living Stereo.  How does it compare to the others mentioned

I find Rubinstein's playing far too mechanical and tired for this piece. Simply too dry for my liking.

[Lilas Pastia]

Looking loftily down from the proverbial ivory tower, Gilels and Jochum. Not only is the pianism heart-stopping in its granitic resolve, but this has to be the most powerful orchestral collaboration ever.

(steps down from the soap box )


Another very worthy contender is the improbable pairing of Donohoe and Svetlanov (EMI). This is almost as powerful, but more dynamic and less poetic than Gilels-Jochum. Excellent sound, budget price.

In a class of its own is the imperial version of Arrau with Kubelik (Orfeo). Unimpeachable as a conception and of towering strength in execution.

I'll also cast a vote for the Zimmerman-Rattle disc. Superb pianist, marvelous orchestra, excellent sound. Rattle indulges in some mannerisms that don't wear well on repetition (dynamic swells here and there), and he works hard to prettify the slower episodes of I, when there's no need to. But it's not enough to ruin the mostly excellent performance.

When does the desert caravan leave? I don't want to miss the last camel !

[mjwal]

Hi, I'm new so rather late here on this thread - but Brahms piano concerto #1 is one of my absolutely favourite works (while No.2 leaves me strangely indifferent). The Szell recordings with various pianists are all at a high level. I agree  that the Arrau/Kubelik is absolutely remarkable, the most imperial recording I know. Of older recordings Schnabel's slow movement (Szell's first try) is riveting, and the Solomon/Kubelik is also excellent. Of the recent recordings I have managed to hear I found Grimaud/Sanderling both limpid and tensile. But the most passionate performance I have heard is a live May 1968 performance from Budapest by Ciani/Abbado, which used to be on Hunt. Happy Hunting!

[DarkAngel]

Curzon/Szell: My favorite!

I have been listening to Brahms piano concerto collections a lot lately and agree with Curzon/Szell as top pick for PC 1, the long rambling opening movement seems very natural and flowing with Curzon instead of a patchwork of ideas that it sometimes can turn into with other performances.

Have not seen a matching Curzon/Szell PC 2 to go with this and make a complete set 
Decca Legends has Backhaus/Bohm for PC 2 to make a complete Decca Legends set.....

[Que]

Has anyone heard the Rubinstein/Reiner version of this  concerto.  Its now available as an SACD from RCA Living Stereo.  How does it compare to the others mentioned

I actually like the Rubinstein/Reiner very much.

Also second Solomon/Kubelik (Testament), and I'm quite fond of the historical (1932) Backhaus/Boult.

Q

[Great Gable]

My personal favourites for this are Gilels/Jochum, Ashkenazy/Haitink

[dirkronk]

Who here has heard and can comment on Andsnes' take on the Brahms 1? I noticed a copy at a used CD place over lunchtime, but didn't have time to audition the item. Should I have scarfed it up? Or was I better to let it be? (I normally like Andsnes very much, but there have been occasional exceptions.)

Dirk

[BachQ]

Who here has heard and can comment on Andsnes' take on the Brahms 1? I noticed a copy at a used CD place over lunchtime, but didn't have time to audition the item. Should I have scarfed it up? Or was I better to let it be? (I normally like Andsnes very much, but there have been occasional exceptions.)

Dirk

It's very good ...... a balanced, thoughtful reading ...... leaning toward lyricism rather than bombast.  I have no plans of discarding my copy into my Elgar bin anytime soon .......

[BorisG]

It's very good ...... a balanced, thoughtful reading ...... leaning toward lyricism rather than bombast.  I have no plans of discarding my copy into my Elgar bin anytime soon .......

On the bombastic side, I highly recommend

[BachQ]

On the bombastic side, I highly recommend

Barry Douglas in his prime.

[FideLeo]

RE: Bunny's recommendation earlier, the Friere/Chailly pair has won Gramophone 2007 Record of the Year Award, and deservedly so IMO.  Friere performs this demanding score with an unassuming grace and refreshing lyricism which I think is an essential aspect of this work but have rarely heard elsewhere.