Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
These performances mount the only serious competition as a complete set to the Leon Fleisher/George Szell versions on Sony Classical. Emil Gilels was an extraordinary virtuoso who decided to place his technical wizardry in the service of the most disciplined and demanding classical masterpieces. No piano concertos live up to this description more than the two by Brahms. Himself a pianist, Brahms placed every purely musical stumbling block that he could in front of the soloist--only audiences never notice because there's no gratuitous display at all. A performer who has not mastered these pieces doesn't necessarily miss notes; he or she just bores everyone to tears. Well, Gilels is never dull, and neither is Eugen Jochum, whose spontaneous-sounding yet sensitive accompaniments support his soloist every step of the way. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com
Emil Gilels is magisterial in these concertos, his playing volcanic and poetic at the same time. Eugen Jochum and the Berlin Philharmonic add considerable grandeur to the undertaking, spanning Brahms's long developmental arches with convincing sureness. Within the warm ambience of Berlin's Jesus-Christus-Kirche, where both concertos were recorded in June of 1972, the engineers do a good job of capturing the pianist's ringing tone. --Ted Libbey

Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116

Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116, Music, Johannes Brahms, Eugen Jochum, Ottomar Borwitzky, Emil Gilels, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard, Keyboard, Piano Concerto

Average customer rating:

One of Best Recordings of Brahms Piano Concertos!

a truly great recording

FAVORITE PIANO CONCERTI

Heroic - and my favorite reading hands down

Liked Concerto 2 with Reiner much better

Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Johannes Brahms , Eugen Jochum , Ottomar Borwitzky , Emil Gilels , and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Gilels, Emil | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata

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Johannes Brahms: The Symphonies

Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy

Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B000001GQY
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Maestoso - J. Brahms
Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Adagio - J. Brahms
Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Rondo. Allegro non troppo - J. Brahms

Tracks:

Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegro non troppo
Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegro appassionato
Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Andante
Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegretto grazioso
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 1 Capriccio: Presto energico
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 2 Intermezzo: Andante
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 3 Capriccio: Allegro passionato
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 4 Intermezzo: Adagio
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 5 Intermezzo: Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 6 Intermezzo: Andantino teneramente
Fantasien Op. 116: No. 7 Capriccio: Allegro agitato

Amazon.com

These performances mount the only serious competition as a complete set to the Leon Fleisher/George Szell versions on Sony Classical. Emil Gilels was an extraordinary virtuoso who decided to place his technical wizardry in the service of the most disciplined and demanding classical masterpieces. No piano concertos live up to this description more than the two by Brahms. Himself a pianist, Brahms placed every purely musical stumbling block that he could in front of the soloist--only audiences never notice because there's no gratuitous display at all. A performer who has not mastered these pieces doesn't necessarily miss notes; he or she just bores everyone to tears. Well, Gilels is never dull, and neither is Eugen Jochum, whose spontaneous-sounding yet sensitive accompaniments support his soloist every step of the way. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Emil Gilels is magisterial in these concertos, his playing volcanic and poetic at the same time. Eugen Jochum and the Berlin Philharmonic add considerable grandeur to the undertaking, spanning Brahms's long developmental arches with convincing sureness. Within the warm ambience of Berlin's Jesus-Christus-Kirche, where both concertos were recorded in June of 1972, the engineers do a good job of capturing the pianist's ringing tone. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

One of Best Recordings of Brahms Piano Concertos!.......2007-06-28

Gilels is excellent on this classic recording of the Brahms Piano Concertos. Before these recordings came out of CD, I listened to these on LP records for hours and hours. I wore those records out.

The added bonus on the CD of the Fantasia is nice as well.

a truly great recording.......2006-10-06

To my mind neither Eugen Jochum nor Emil Gilels received the acclaim appropriate to their genius while they were living. Even now it appears they are appreciated mainly by a small clique of true classical music lovers.

These two performances of Brahms' Piano Concertos are flawless. They were both recorded in 1972 when Jochum was age 69, and Gilels was 55. Two masters in their mature prime. Add to this The Berlin Philharmonic and recording by Deutsche Grammophon. This is perfect Brahms. The treatment of both concertos is equally superb, achieving a synthesis of piano and orchestra in performances of unfolding eloquence and power.

In 1987 at age 85 (a year before he died) Eugen Jochum was asked in an interview about his memory of great recordings. He singled out the 1972 Brahms with Gilels as perhaps the finest recording of his career.

FAVORITE PIANO CONCERTI.......2006-01-03

Brahms's monumental piano concertos are my very favorite piano concertos. Therefore, I own many recordings of same. Nevertheless, this recording with Gilels and Jochum is my absolute favorite! It is a recording that I've listened to, at least, once a week for many years. Gilels and Jochum truly play these "monsters of the form" wonderfully capturing Brahms's fierceness as well as his tenderness beautifully.

Truth be known, I slightly prefer the 1st concerto-I know that is a musical sacrilege. My god, Gilels plays the hell out of that work delivering those (what I call) "trills of death" in the first movement in such a manner that it still sends chills up and down my spine no matter how many time I have listened to the work.

DGG has done a superb job in it transfer to this "new" CD form. I owned the original vinyl recordings; however, I feel these CDs give the recording more depth with the sound being far richer.

If you want to hear a legendary and sublime recording of the Brahms's Piano Concertos,buy these discs.

Heroic - and my favorite reading hands down.......2005-11-11

These readings are legendary. I searched and searched for a good set, first trying Bernstein-Zimerman (horrid recording quaity) then trying some older recordings (Serkin/Szell, Rubinstein/Ormandy), then going to an old favorite of mine on the keyboard (Pollini/Abbado), but I was not really a fan of a) either the ensembles' un-Brahmsian (in my opinion) accompaniment or b) the soloists' interpretations or execution. However, these recordings, when I first bought them in the old DG Galleria release, were a revelation. Gilels' playing can best be described as monumental, and Jochum's direction is Brahmsian to the core. The result is a rarity in that both concertos are amongst the greatest ever readings of the works (especially for #2; only Serkin/Szell and Anda/Fricsay come close). And now, with the new DG Originals transfer, the sound matches the performances; gone are the whiny strings and the somewhat hollow sound from the original transfer, and in its place we have a recording that sounds almost brand new, with great clarity on the brass, piano sound, and amazing definition in the strings. If you must only have one recording of these two concertos, then this is the one to get.
However, let me make one other suggestion for Piano Concerto No. 2: Geza Anda with Ferenc Fricsay & the Berlin Philharmonic, dating from 1960. A spellbinding interpretation by Anda, and an accompaniment no less Brahmsian than Jochum's from meastro Fricsay. This is part of a great Geza Anda box set by DG (which incidentally includes a great Schumann piano concerto with Kubelik/Berlin). If you are looking for another astounding recording of the 2nd piano concerto, you should check this release out. For concerto no. 1, check out Szell/Serkin on Sony.

With all of that being said, if I'm stranded on a desert island, I'm bringing the Jochum-Gilels set.

Liked Concerto 2 with Reiner much better.......2005-10-31

I heard the Concerto 2 today on the radio, and I while it was competently played, I kept thinking of how slowly it was paced. And I yearned to hear the Gilels version (with Fritz Reiner and the CSO). Imagine my extreme surprise to hear it was Gilels! But played with nothing like the fire and wit and playfulness of his 1958 version. Perhaps Brahms would have wanted it played this way, with more majesty and solemnity, but it's not for me.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Budget Brahms

Complete Concertos / Overtures
Brahms , Cgb , Haitnk , and Schmidt-Isserstedt
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Prokofiev: Complete Concertos
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Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

ASIN: B000076GYM
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Budget Brahms .......2007-03-04

This is a budget Brahms set to cherish. I want to begin with addressing Szeryng's account of the violin concerto, which has now become one of my top three favorites of the oft recorded masterpiece. This was my first encounter with Szeryng in the Brahms concerto (I believe there is another recording in print with him under Dorati); however, I knew he was quite capable in Brahms as evidenced through his immaculate set of the violin sonatas with Rubinstein. I had no idea he was this capable. His entrance is powerful and the violin is miked pretty far forward giving us a very full tone from the outset. It only gets better from here. The adagio is bar-none the most expressive I have ever encountered, with Szeryng implementing the perfect blend of rubato/vibrato while keeping a stedy tempo. The finale is grand. Szeryng is technically brilliant, but not at the expense of warmth and detail. Haitink and the RCO are in top form, especially in the first movement where the orchestral tuttis are crisp with a Toscanini-like quality (by the way, the candenza Szeryng uses in the first movement is the Joachim [thank God]). As for the double concerto with Starker.... it's a great interpretation with some new things to say (especially in the finale); but, it really just gets outshined by the preceding three tracks. All in all, the price of this budget set is worth it just for this out of print (in any other reissue in the U.S. that is) version of the Violin concerto which stands tall with Perlman, Heifetz, and Oistrakh, as one of the greatest out there.

As for the piano concertos with Brendel, they are also very well interpreted; especially the second. In the B-flat major, Brendel and Haitink take pretty standard tempi, and although I wish Brendel was a bit more forceful and played with a bit less staccato at some points in the outer movements, the slow movement is sublime. Overall the second concerto, while probably not measuring up to the greats (Fleisher/Richter/Arrau/ etc.) is a success. I am not as enthusiastic about the D minor, mostly due to the absence of Haitink on the podium. Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt is directing and gives us a pretty weak orchestral accompaniment in a concerto which depends on it the most. This reading is simply no match for the Fleisher or Arrau recordings. However, this is a minor weak spot in three discs of otherwise very compelling Brahms. Every one of the overtures are done masterfully, and this may be one of my all time favorite versions of the Haydn variations, with Haitink bringing in that same Toscanini-like tautness which worked so well in the violin concerto.

So, at budget price, you need this collection; if for nothing else than one of the greatest Brahms violin concerto performances of all time (just think of the other two discs as bonuses). A more than justified addition to any collection.

Average customer rating:

Meh...
Stellar playing in a generous coupling of famous pieces!
Kovacevich is the hero, but Argerich nearly steals the show
A Great Buy!

Favourite Piano Concertos, Vol.2

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Favourite Piano Concertos, Vol.1
Addinsell; Rachmaninov; Shostakovich
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Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite; Kabalevsky: The Comedians; Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien; Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol / Kondrashin

ASIN: B000007OTJ
Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

Concerto In A Minor, Op.54: 1. Allegro affettuoso
Concerto In A Minor, Op.54: 2. Intermezzo. Andantino grasioso
Concerto In A Minor, Op.54: 3. Allegro vivace
Warsaw Concerto - Richard Addinsell
Concerto No.1 In B-flat, Op.23: 1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Concerto No.1 In B-flat, Op.23: 2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I
Concetrto No.1 In B-flat, Op.23: 3. Allegro con fuoco

Tracks:

Concerto In A Minor, Op.16: 1. Allegro molto moderato
Concerto In A Minor, Op.16: 2. Adagio
Concerto In A Minor, Op.16: 3. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Quasi presto - Andante maestoso
Concerto No.2 In B-flat, Op.83: 1. Allegro non troppo
Concerto No.2 In B-flat, Op.83: 2. Allegro appassionato
Concerto No.2 In B-flat, Op.83: 3. Andante
Concerto No.2 In B-flat, Op.83: 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco piu presto

Customer Reviews:

Meh..........2006-03-28

This collection serves as a descent introduction to some great piano concertos, but the performances are not the best and the recording quality of most of them leaves much to be desired for me. I learned my lesson with regards to the 'best of' classical collections. Personally I'd rather have gotten great recordings of great performances of great classical pieces for a little more money.

Stellar playing in a generous coupling of famous pieces! .......2005-04-15

This 2 CD set is a dream come true. Martha Argerich playing the Tchaikovsky concerto #1, Stephen Kovacevich playing the Grieg, Schumann, and Brahms Concertos, Misha Dichter playing the Addinsell. Argerich has a complete mastery of the Tchaikovsky concerto, having it recorded it 3 times (w/ Dutoit, Kondrashin, and Abbado); she is a virtuoso who plays with great passion and fire, which makes for such an exciting recording. This recording here is with Kondrashin. Stephen Kovacevich's performance of the Grieg / Schumann is one of the finest interpretations on CD (on par with Murray Perahia and Leif Ove Andsnes). Colin Davis complements Kovacevich well, having conducted the orchestra for Murray Perahia as well on these pieces. Misha Dichter does not disappoint with the Addinsell Concerto, and Kovacevich's performance of the Brahms is also great in musicianship, tempo, and tone. As another reviewer noted, the Brahms is one of the hardest pieces to play.

Years ago, I payed full price for Stephen Kovacevich's version of the Grieg / Schumann on a single disc. Just recently, I discovered this CD collection; for a few bucks more, you can have Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Addinsell as well! This is an outstanding bargain that you cannot pass up -- just for Argerich and Kovacevich. The sound quality is excellent!

Kovacevich is the hero, but Argerich nearly steals the show.......2004-03-29

These are arguably the four most important (or at least the most popular) piano concertos written after Beethoven's five momentous works in the genre. This 2 CD set contains definitive performances of all four. The Schumann and Grieg were praised in Gramophone magazine "Who would have thought the Grieg and Schumann piano concertos could come up as fresh as paint, as alive with both opulent and delicate emotional fervor as on the day they were written? Stephen Kovacevich's Philips recording, dating from 1970-1, has been tirelessly celebrated for its freshness and poetic vitality, and it remains a benchmark offering." And the BBC Symphony under the direction of Sir Colin Davis does a stunning job adding color behind the soloist and carrying the tutti parts.

Of the several recordings of the Tchaikovsky that feature the stellar Martha Argerich (with Maestros Abbado, Dutoit, and Kord) this is the one to own, and almost worth the price of the whole set: a 1980 live recording with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at their home base in Munich. (In its original release it is paired with Argerich's Rachmaninoff Third). As frequently as the Tchaikovsky is played, Argerich points out new wonders through the thick chords and piano textures each time you listen. I promise you'll hear hidden lines and counter melodies you never heard before. Tchaikovsky asks the soloist to make a lot of noise in this piece, but Argerich treats the solo part with real finesse and shapes it nicely under her fingers. Wow!

Brahms 2 is certainly the most musically difficult of any piano concerto ever written: its four movements clock in at about 50 minutes of Brahms' best music. Kovecevich is up to the task and this performance rivals those by Serkin, Fleisher, Richter, and Backhaus. There is not a phrase or note out of place; it is immensely satisfying. The Addinsell Warsaw concerto is a nice bonus to bring the total timing on this set over the two-and-a-half hour mark.

Even if you already own one or two of the concertos on this set, you'll be rewarded by the fine interpretations here and the other new additions to your collection. Kovecevich is the real hero of this compilation, but Argerich nearly steals the show. It's too bad that most of Kovacevich's other Brahms recordings have been deleted, but look for more recordings of his such as the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas on EMI. For any classical music lover!

A Great Buy!.......1999-12-20

A bargain price for 2 CDs and 150 minutes of excellent music! I bought these CDs looking for good recordings of the Schumann and Grieg piano concertos. Well, I was not disappointed. Kovacevich's playing is tremendous in both of these pieces, with fine support from Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. I would have been satisfied with just these two recordings for the price I paid, but three other excellent pieces were included as well. None of these recordings is as highly recommendable as the Schumann or the Grieg, but they are good recordings nonetheless. All these things considered, this set of CDs includes some of the best piano concertos along with some excellent performances, so don't pass it up. It's a must buy!

Average customer rating:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations

The Violinist
Yehudi Menuhin , Johann Sebastian Bach , Bela Bartok , Ludwig van Beethoven , Alban Berg , Johannes Brahms , Max Bruch , Arcangelo Corelli , Edward Elgar , Franz Joseph Haydn , Edouard Lalo , Felix Mendelssohn , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Carl Nielsen , Niccolo Paganini , Camille Saint-Saens , Jean Sibelius , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Michael Tippett , Henri Vieuxtemps , Antonio Vivaldi , William Walton , Alberto Lysy , Anatole Fistoulari , Antal Dorati , Anthony Bernard , Gaston Poulet , John Pitchard , Mogens Woldike , Pierre Boulez , and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Schubert: 8 Symphonies

ASIN: B0000BWTKJ
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Assai
I. Vivace
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante Tranquillo
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
II. Allegro
II. Adagio

Tracks:

Romance No. 1 In G Major
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Larghetto
III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
III. Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
II. Adagio Molto
III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
I. Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
IV. Andante
V. Rondo (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
II. Adagio Religioso
III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
IV. Finale (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Cadenza
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
I. Praeludium (Largo)
I. Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
II. Allegro
III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.

Brahms: Piano Concertos/Variations on a Theme/Tragic Overture

Average customer rating:

There is no orchestra like WP
Sluggish First Concerto, uneven but sometimes brilliant Second
Very good performance of the 1st Concerto

Brahms: Piano Concertos/Variations on a Theme/Tragic Overture

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO
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Beethoven, Mozart & Brahms Piano Concertos

ASIN: B000001GYE
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: Maestoso
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: Adagio
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15: Rondo: Allegro non troppo
Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83: Allegro non troppo
Piano No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83: Allegro appassionato
Piano No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83: Andante
Piano No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83: Allegretto grazioso
Tragic Overture Op. 81

Customer Reviews:

There is no orchestra like WP.......2006-02-05

Wiener Philarmoniker , or Vienna Philarmonic, is a truly wonderful orchestra. The crispy brass section, the sunny woodwinds, the noble string sonority ... a class in itself. Even with average conducting, one has to praise the level and sound the orchestra usually achieves in this repertoire. These Brahms pieces are part of its core, basic repertoire. In the piano concerto Pollini shows a truly great command of the keyboard together with a certain "objectivity" in his touch coupled with power and sensitivity when needed. The orchestra, I like most under Abbado. Bohm makes WP sound with majesty but sometimes underpowered. Balances under Bohm are focused on strings rather than winds, but I think that is a part of a "pre-historically informed practices" age. Strongly recommended unless you have a particular favourite of yours.

Sluggish First Concerto, uneven but sometimes brilliant Second.......2005-11-10

These analog performances predate Pollini's digital remakes by twenty years--the Brahms First under Bohm is from 1979, the Second under Abbado from 1976. I would go into detaialed comparison with the later verions, both under Abbado but with the Berlin Phil. instead of Vienna, except that there really isn't any comparison. DG's analog sound here is close on the piano, distant for the orchestra, but both sound veiled, and orchestral detail is murky. The remakes are in distinctly better sound and have the added impact of a live concert.

As to the performances themselves, Pollini improved on both works in the 19990's. Bohm offers a solid, unimaginative accompaniment in the First Concerto that seems to have affected Pollini--he shows hardly any of his usual dash and bravura. The slow movement is especially inert; the finale doesn't catch fire, either. By comparison, Abbado offers really splendid, vigorous accompaniment in the 1997 remake, and Pollini rises to the occasion there, giving one of the best Brahms Firsts on record.

As to the Second Concerto, which I like much better, Pollini's first version offers a wonderful opening movement with Abbado diecting the lushest orchestral tones imaginable and Pollini doing the same with his rounded, broad phrasing. Pollini's way with Brahms is always unhurried, deep, secure in tone. The muffled sonics detract from the overall impact, however. The Scerhzo is much less explosive than one sometimes hears (e.g., Richter in his classic RCA account with Leinsdorf) but all the better for that; Pollini is in comand without having to hector or bang. But then the last two movements sink into indifference. It's hard to get the second half of this concerto to make an impression equalling the first half. Pollini and Abbado don't seem to try very hard. A strange falling-off, but it doesn't matter, really, since their 1995 remake is so powerful, belonging in the first rank (where I'd also put Richter, Gilels with Reiner, Fleisher with Szell, nd one of my favorites, Barenboim with Barbirolli).

All in all, only a bargain if you absolutely have to save money, or if you relish the glorious collaboration of Pollini and the Vienna Phil. in the Second Cncerto.

Very good performance of the 1st Concerto.......1999-04-25

Poliziani and Bohm show that you don't have to smooth out the very dramatic and, to this listener at least, fascinating moods swings of the music in order to maintain it's continuity and coherence.

Tracks:

Prelude a l'AprMidi d'un Faune - Belgrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Igor Markevitch
Agnus Dei - Ricardo Casinelli, ,
Four Seasons -- 2nd Movement: Largo E Pianissimo Sempre - Martin Sieghart, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Orfeo Ed Euridice 2nd Act -- Ballo: Andante (Dance of the Blessed ...) - Wilhelm Keitel,
Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 62 "O Lieb So Lang" du ... - Peter Schmalfuss
Ice Skaters Waltz "Las Patineurs" Excerpt - Gerhard Becker, Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 Death of Ase - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Air - Artur Faihs, Frida Faihs
Nutcracker Ballet Suite, Op. 71a III: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Alfred Scholz, South German Philharmonic Orchestra
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, No. 1: Aria - Christiane Jaccottet
Tales of Hoffman "Barcarolle" - Philharmonic Orchestra, Christian Rainer
Suite Bergamasque III: Clair de Lune - Peter Schmalfuss
Landler, Op. 171, No. 4 - Peter Schmalfuss
Ave Verum Corpus, Motet K. 618 - Rolf Schweizer,
Preludes, Op. 28 No. 15 in D flat major: Sostenuto "Raindrops" - Bianca Sitzius
Canon in D major: Preludes - Bernhard G Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Elegies for Piano, Op. 34 I: Wounded Heart - Stefan Jeschko

Tracks:

Preludes, Book 1 No. 8: "La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin" - Peter Schmalfuss
Suite Espa, Op. 47 Sevilla - Irina Kircher
Water Music Suite, Allegro - Oliver VonDohnanyi
Humoresque, Op. 101 - Erich Appel, Oliver Colbentson
Songs Without Words for Piano, Book 2, Op. 30, No. 6 in F sharp minor - Sylvia Capova
Swan Lake, Ballet Suite, Dance of the Swans - Belgrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Igor Markevitch
Divertimento No. 1 in B flat major, 2nd Movement - Chorale Saint Antoni Andante,
Symphony No. 5, 4th Movement: Adagietto - Anton Nanut
Lohengrin, Prelude to Act 3 - Bystrik Rezucha, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: Anitra's Dance - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Preludes, Op. 3, No. 2 in C sharp minor - Yuri A. Rozum
Tale of the Tsar Saltan -- Flight of the Bumble Bee - Camerata Rhenania, Hanspeter Gmur
Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 "Jupiter," 1st Movement: ... - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Finlandia, Op. 26/7 - Roland Donatte,
Etudes, Op. 10, No. 5 in G flat major "Black Keys" - Peter Schmalfuss
Serenade in E major, Op. 22, 1st Movement: Moderato - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Tracks:

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, 2nd Movement: ... - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha,
Nutcracker Ballet Suite, Op. 71a, Arab Dance - Alfred Scholz, South German Philharmonic Orchestra
Divertimento for 2 Horns & Strings in F major "A Musical Joke," ... - Capella Istropolitana
Faust "Margarethe" -- Ballet Music, Allegretto - The London Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Gymnopedies No. 3 - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48, 2nd Movement; Waltz - Kurt Redel
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 Traumerei - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, Adagio - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Waltz in A flat major, Op. 69/1 - Peter Schmalfuss
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73, Adagio Non Troppo - Libor Pesek, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Largo from Xerxes - Ernst Riedlinger
Symphony No. 22 in E flat major, "Philosopher," Adagio
Quintet in E minor, G. 451, Allegro Moderato - Karl Heinz Ber, Hans Kalafusz, GKehr, Gunter Lemmen, Siegfried Palm

Saint-Saens: Concertos for piano in Gm; Brahms: Intermezzo in E Op116/4

Average customer rating:

Saint-Saens: Concertos for piano in Gm; Brahms: Intermezzo in E Op116/4

Manufacturer: Russian Revelation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000006B94
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Intro And Royal March Of The Lion - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Cocks And Hens - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Wild Asses - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Tortoises - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): The Elephant - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Kangaroos - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): The Aquariam - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): People With Long Ears - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Cuckoo In The Depths Of The Woods - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): The Avairy - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Pianists - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Fossils - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): The Swan - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Carnival Of The Animals (Zoological Fant): Finale - Emil Gilels/Yakov Zak
Con No.2 For Pno And Orch: Andante Sosentuto - Emil Gilels
Con No.2 For Pno And Orch: Allegro Scherzando - Emil Gilels
Con No.2 For Pno And Orch: Presto - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Capriccio In d - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Intermezzo in a - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Capriccio in g - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Intermezzo in E - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Intermezzo in e - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Intermezzo in E - Emil Gilels
Fantasy, Op.116: Cappriccio in d - Emil Gilels

Average customer rating:

Great Concertos, Not So Great Box Set

Great Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dvorák: The Symphonies

ASIN: B00008CLIH
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18
Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30
Piano Concerto No.6 In B Flat, K.238
Piano Concerto No.8 In C, K.246 "Lzow"
Piano Concerto No.9 In E Flat, K.271 - "Jeunehomme"
Concert Rondo For Piano And Orchestra In D. K.382
Piano Concerto No.20 In D Minor, K.466
Piano Concerto No.27 In B Flat, K.595
Piano Concerto No.1 In B Flat Minor, Op.23
Piano Concerto No.2 In F Minor, Op.21
Concerto For Harpsichord, Strings, And Continuo No.1 In D Minor, Bwv 1052
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.83
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat Major Op.73 -"Emperor"
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op.54
Introduction & Allegro Appassionato For Piano & Orchestra, Op.92
Concert Allegro With Introduction In D Minor, Op.134
Alexander Scriabin
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op.43
Piano Concerto No.3, Bb 127, Sz. 119
Prometh - Le Poe Du Feu, Op.60
Piano Concerto No.1, Bb 91, Sz. 83
Piano Concerto
Piano Concerto No.2, Bb 101, Sz. 95
Piano Concerto No.1 In D Flat, Op.10
Piano Concerto No.2 In G Minor, Op.16
Piano Concerto No.21 In C, K.467

Customer Reviews:

Great Concertos, Not So Great Box Set.......2004-04-29

The fact that Vladimir Ashkenazy is one of the great pianists of the 20th Century is not open for debate. His performances of Mozart, Prokofiev and Rachmaninov in particular are among the very best ever recorded, and his Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky aren't far behind. Whether some of his better recordings should have been collected on this boxed set to celebrate his forty-year association with Decca, most certainly is up for debate.

I know that limited edition collector's sets focusing on venerable artists, instead of the traditional box sets focused on a specific composer, have been very profitable lately -- like those in the "Original Masters" series (see my reviews). But what distinguishes those sets from Ashkenazy's is the abundance of rare material, often never before released on CD. This 11 CD set only features one previously unissued performance, included on a "bonus CD" that is only 29 minutes in length -- Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto with Ashkenazy playing and conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. (A performance with the Philharmonia of No. 21 is included on Ashkenazy's Double Decca title and box set of the Piano Concerto Cycle.) It also features two performances in their "first international release" -- Schumann's "Introduction & Allegro appasionato" and "Concerto Allegro with Introduction," both with Uri Segal leading the LSO. The remainder of the recordings have all been available on CD previously -- the Rach 2 & 3 on Decca Legends, the Prokofievs on a Double Decca, the Tchaikovsky & Chopin PC2 in the Penguin Classics series, the Beethovens on a London/Decca box of the Piano Concertos, etc. Yes, some of the material is now out-of-print as single-discs -- the early Mozart Concertos with Kertesz and Schmidt-Isserstedt, and the Bach 1052 with Zinman were available in the old "Classic Sound" series -- but serious collectors most likely bought those initial offerings years ago before they were deleted.

So I guess my question is, whom does the Universal Music Group think will buy this set? The title "Collector's Edition" assumes collectors like me will, but I'm not trading in my single CD titles at the used store just to pay more money for one unissued Mozart performance! Therefore, this set must be aimed at entry-level fans, but most of them are not going to pay this much for their classical music either. And if they are curious about Ashkenazy as a performer, surely starting with a less comprehensive title makes more sense. You'd think by now UNI, with all its vast resources and labels, would have a better handle on their fan base, yet they prove once again that they do not.

Average customer rating:

500 Classic Masterpieces

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008FZWM
Release Date: 1992-11-04

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