Brahms: Symphony No. 3; Haydn: Variationen

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Big, heavy, slow, mannered, and beautifully played, this performance has many gorgeous moments but even more irritating ones. Something about Brahms really put Leonard Bernstein on his worst behavior, as though the music's inherent emotional reticence forced the conductor to give it all the extra juice he could pump into it. Well, Bernstein had plenty of juice to pump, if you'll pardon the expression, but the result in Brahms is just a bad case of bloating. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A Master's Brahms.......2005-08-15

I have been a fan of Kurt Sanderling's magnificent analog Dresden Brahms cycle for 30 years and wasn't too keen to investigate this Berlin cycle, recorded digitally in 1992. And it didn't help that the usual Brit and American critics almost unanimously panned it as being slower and much inferior to the Dresden performances (still available on RCA/BMG.) But the critics are wrong: Sanderling's Berlin Brahms remake offers some of the most insightful Brahms conducting I've ever heard. Yes, Sanderling's tempos tend to be slower than in Dresden, but that's neither here nor there. What is important is that Sanderling's tempos invariably work in relation to each other so that musical texture and harmonic relationships are wonderfully articulated and defined. This is some of the richest sounding Brahms you'll ever hear, but it's also amazingly transparent. Some of that achievement is due to the gorgeous sound quality achieved by Capriccio's engineers, but most of the credit is Sanderling's, the result of very careful balancing of orchestral choirs. Brahms once said something to the effect that melody per se didn't fire his composer's imagination, but a good bass line was absolutely crucial. Sanderling understands the structurally foundational importance of the Brahms bass, that quite literally everything in a Brahms composition develops out of it. As a result, with Sanderling Brahms's symphonic arguments develop inexorably and with a marvelous cumulative effect. Not flashy, not hysterical-sounding, but tremendously exciting nevertheless. In retrospect, we can now appreciate that Kurt Sanderling (now in his nineties and retired) was the last of the great German conductors, an artist whose musical insights deepened over the length of his career. Nothing proves that point better than these Brahms performances with the (now defunct) Berlin Symphony Orchestra. As good as his earlier Dresden cycle is (and it is spectacularly fine), Sanderling's valedictory Berlin cycle is finer still. It is an amazing achievement. Although the set is spread out over four discs and is quite pricey, it is worth every penny!

Brahms: Symphonie No. 3; Haydn-Variationen

Average customer rating:

A must purchase if you can find it

Brahms: Symphonie No. 3; Haydn-Variationen

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Customer Reviews:

A must purchase if you can find it.......2007-02-28

I would not normally review a recording that has long since been deleted from the catalogue and which is now generally only available from dealers in second hand CDs and the like. However, this is a special performance, one of the finest things that Giulini achieved in the latter part of his career and on a par with other highlights, such as his recording of the Bruckner 9th. Of course, it is to be hoped that Universal sees fit to re-release this performance, but customers would be well advised not to hold their breath and to snap up any recordings they see, especially if they are reasonably priced.

Giulini recorded the other three symphonies of Brahms with the VPO at around the same time. I would describe the present recording as the jewel in that crown, for fine as those other performances are, this one seems to have an extra degree of intensity and, dare one say, "fire". Yes, fire: not normally a characteristic that one associates with Giulini at this stage of his career. But, be assured, the adrenalin flows aplenty in this live performance, and even readers who would normally find Giulini too idiosyncratic in this repertoire may find grounds for sharing my enthusiasm.

It's worth remembering that the principal subject of the first movement, which immediately follows the opening motto played by the winds, starts with a phrase borrowed from the main theme of Schumann's Rhenish symphony. And much like the first movement of the Rhenish symphony, although with greater shifts in mood, the first movement of Brahms's 3rd has an almost riverine quality to it, with the music propelled forward by elemental forces, rising and falling, and so on.

Similar to his recording of the Rhenish with the LAPO, Giulini successfully allies tremendous grandeur with momentum in the opening movement of the Brahms. The Vienna strings launch into the principal subject with a flood of tone, delivered with more legato than usual. Giulini observes the exposition repeat, thus reinforcing the epic nature of this music, and the music rises to a climax of great power before subsiding into tranquillity.

The second movement offers a complete contrast. It is largely gentle and delicate, but its mood remains somewhat mysterious, and those unsettling undercurrents, typical of Brahms, are never far away. As one would expect, every phrase is shaped beautifully but not self indulgently by Giulini, who draws playing of the utmost refinement from the VPO. The movement ends in a picture of autumnal glow, the music borne aloft on a gently rising cloud. In the following poco allegretto, Giulini, not surprisingly, emphasises the melancholy that infuses this music, with particularly lush full bodied string playing.

The tempestuous last movement truly caps off this performance. A few things to note. Giulini recorded the 3rd symphony in the 60s with London's Philharmonia Orchestra. This performance with the VPO definitely eclipses it, in the main because of his approach to the last movement. In the Philharmonia account, the playing is naturally disciplined, but it's a rather too cautious, somewhat faceless affair. With this Vienna account, not only are the tempi faster (belying the impression that Giulini simply got slower with age) but the overall approach is more impassioned.

One gets a feeling that this last movement is going to be something special from the very start of the movement. Giulini takes the sotto voce opening measures quite quickly. The music is restless and nervous with anticipation, a quality which is strangely muted in most versions I have heard.

What follows these opening bars is highly dramatic and bracing in Giulini's hands. Again, Giulini's tempo is on the fastish side, but it's not just the tempo that creates the visceral impact, but the way in which Giulini gets the strings in particular to dig into their notes with plenty of strong accents. A comparison with Abbado's justly praised version with the BPO is instructive, for while the tempo is just about the same, Giulini manages to generate greater excitement and momentum.

The coda, sensitively handled in this recording to create a real sense of peace and calm, brings to a close a great performance of high contrasts. The symphony comes coupled with an affectionate peformance of the Haydn Variations. My only complaint about this CD - and it's a minor one - is that the sound is somewhat close and congested which probably signifies the recording company's desire to minimise audience noise. Nonetheless, the sound is suitably big and full to complement the performance.

In short, highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

A great compilation
Liszt
Incomparable Brendel
Beutiful

The Art Of Alfred Brendel

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000041E6
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

Andante con variazioni In F Minor, Hob. XVII:6
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 2. Adagio e cantabile
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:49: 3. Finale. Tempo di minuetto
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 1. Allegro
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C, Hob. XVI:50: 3. Allegro molto
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 2. Adagio
Sonata In E Flat, Hob. XVI:52: 3. Finale. Presto

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 1. Allegro maestoso
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 2. Andante cantabile con espressione
Sonata In A Minor, KV 310: 3. Presto
Fantasia In C Minor, KV 475: Adagio - Allegro - Andantino - Piu allegro - Tempo I
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 1. Molto allegro
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 2. Adagio
Sonata In C Minor, KV 457: 3. Allegro assai
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 1. Allegro
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 2. Andante cantabile
Sonata In B Flat, KV 333: 3. Allegretto grazioso

Tracks:

Sonata In A, KV 331: 1. Tema con variazioni
Sonata In A, KV 331: 2. Menuetto
Sonata In A, KV 331: 3. Alla turca. Allegretto
Rondo In A Minor, KV 511: Andante
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 2. Andantino
Piano Concerto In E Flat, KV 449: 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 2. Andante
Piano Concerto In C, KV 467: 3. Allegro vivace assai

Tracks:

Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 1. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 2. Andante
Concerto In E Flat, KV 365 For Two Pianos And Orchestra: 3. Rondeaux. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 2. (Andante)
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 450: 3. Allegro
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 1. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 2. Allegretto
Piano Concerto In F, KV 459: 3. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In D, KV 537 - Coronation: 3. Allegretto
Adagio In B Minor, KV 540
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 1. Allegro
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 2. Larghetto
Piano Concerto In B Flat, KV 595: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 2. Adagio
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 3. Scherzo. Allegro
Sonata No. 3 In C, Op.2 No.3: 4. Allegro assai
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 2. Adagio con molta espressione
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 3. Minuetto
Sonata No.11 In B Flat, Op.22: 4. Rondo. Allegretto
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 1. Allegro
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 2. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso
Sonata No.18 In E Flat, Op.31 No.3: 4. Presto con fuoco
Bagatelle In A Minor, WoO 59 'Fur Elise'
6 Ecossaises, WoO 83

Tracks:

6 Variations In F, Op.34: Thema
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation I
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation II
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation III
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation IV
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation V
6 Variations In F, Op.34: Variation VI - Coda
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Thema
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation I
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation II
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation III
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation IV
5 Variations In D, WoO 79 On 'Rule Britannia': Variation V - Coda
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Thema
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation I
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation II
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation III
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation IV
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation V
6 Variations In G, WoO 70 On 'Nel cor piu non mi sento': Variation VI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Tema: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation I: Alla marcia maestoso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation II: Poco allegro
Variation III: L'istesso tempo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IV: Un poco piu vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation V: Allegro vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VI: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation VII: Un poco piu allegro
Variation VIII: Poco vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation IX: Allegro pesante e risoluto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation X: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XI: Allegretto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XII: Un poco piu moto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XIV: Grave e maestoso
Variation XV: Presto scherzando
Variation XVI: Allegro - Variation XVII
Variation XVIII: Poco moderato
Variation XIX: Presto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XX: Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXI: Allegro con brio - Meno allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXII: Allegro molto
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIII: Allegro assai
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXIV: Fughetta. Andante
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXV: Allegro
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVI
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVII: Vivace
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXVIII: Allegro
Variation XXIX: Adagio ma non troppo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXX: Andante, sempre cantabile
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXI: Largo, molto espressivo
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXII: Fuga. Allegro - Poco adagio
33 Variations In C, Op.120 On A Waltz By Anton Diabelli: Variation XXXIII: Tempo di minuetto moderato

Tracks:

SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 1. Allegro assai
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 2. Andante con moto
SONATA NO.23 IN F MINOR, OP.57 'APPASSIONATA': 3. Allegro ma non troppo
Andante In F, WoO 57 (Andante favori)
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2. Scherzo. Assai vivace
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto. Apassionata e con molto sentimento
Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Tracks:

15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Introduzione col basso del tema - Tema
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation I
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation II
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation III
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation V
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VI-VII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation VIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation IX
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation X
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XI
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIII
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Variation XIV-XV
15 Variations And Fuge In E Flat, Op.35 'Eroica Variations': Finale. alla fuga
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 1. Andante con moto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 2. Allegro
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 3. Andante cantabile e grazioso
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 4. Presto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 5. Quasi allegretto
6 Bagatelles, Op.126: 6. Presto - Andante amabile e con moto - Tempo I
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 1. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo
Sonata No.24 In F Sharp, Op.78 'For Therese': 2. Allegro vivace
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 1. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo - Tempo I
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 2. Prestissimo
Sonata No.30 in E, op.109: 3. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 1. Allegro moderato - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 2. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.4 In G, Op.58: 3. Rondo. Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 In E Flat, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 1. Allegro, ma non troppo - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 2. Allegretto quasi andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 537: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 1. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 664: 3. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 1. Allegro giusto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 784: 3. Allegro vivace - Schubert
16 German Dances, D. 783 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C, D. 840: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In C, D. 840: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 1. Moderato - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 2. Andante un poco moto - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. Un poco piu lento - Schubert
Sonata In A Minor, D. 845: 4. Rondo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Fantasy In C, D. 760 'Wanderer' Fantasy - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In D, D. 850: 1. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 2. Con moto - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In D, D. 850: 4. Rondo. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 1. Molto moderato e cantabile - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 2. Andante - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 3. Menuetto. Allegro moderato - Schubert
Sonata In G, D. 894: 4. Allegretto - Schubert
Allegretto In C Minor, D. 915 - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 2. Adagio - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 3. Menuetto. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In C Minor, D. 958: 4. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 1. Allegro - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 2. Andantino - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Schubert
Sonata In A, D. 959: 4. Rondo. Allegretto - Schubert
12 German Dances, D. 790 (Ller) - Schubert

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 1. Molto moderato - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 2. Andante sostenuto - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza - Schubert
Sonata In B Flat, D. 960: 4. Allegro ma non troppo - Schubert
11 Ecossaises, D. 781 - Schubert
Hungarian Melody In B Minor, D. 817 - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 1 In C, en ut majeur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 2 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Andantino - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 3 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 4 In C Sharp Minor, cis-moll, en ut diese mineur - Moderato - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 5 In F Minor, f-moll, en fa mineur - Allegro Vivace - Schubert
6 Moments musicaux, D. 780: No. 6 In A Flat, As-dur, en la bemol majeur - Allegretto - Schubert

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 1. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 2. Quasi adagio - Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 3. Allegro marziale animato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 1. Adagio sostenuto assai - Allegro agitato assai
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 2. Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 3. Allegro deciso - Marziale un poco meno allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: 4. Allegro animato
Danse macabre, Paraphrase On (Dies Irea): Danse macabre, Paraphrase On Dies Irea
Csardas macabre
Valse oubliee No. 1 In F Sharp

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 1. Chapelle de Guillaume Tell
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 2. Au lac de Wallenstadt
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 3. Pastorale
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 4. Au bord d'une source
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 5. Orage
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 6. Vallee d'Obermann
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 7. Eglogue
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 8. Le mal du pays
Annees de pelerinage - Premiere annee: Suisse: 9. Les cloches de Geneve (Nocturne)
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 1. Sposalizio
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 2. Il Penseroso
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 3. Canzonetta del Salvator Rosa
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 4. Sonetto 47 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 5. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca
Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 6. Sonetto 123 del Petrarca

Tracks:

Annees de pelerinage - Deuxieme annee: Italie: 7. Apres une lecture de Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 2. Aux cypres de la Villa d'Este. Threnodie No. 1
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 4. Les jeux d'eau de la Villa d'Este
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 5. Sunt lacrimae rerum (En mode hongrois)
Annees de pelerinage - Troisieme annee: 7. Sursum corda (Erhebet eure Herzen)
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 7. Schlummerlied
Weihnachtsbaum-Suite: 9. Abendglocken
Trube Wolken
Klavierstuck In F Sharp, S. 192 No. 3
En Reve - Nocturne
R.W. - Venezia
Vexilla regis prodeunt
Mosonyis Grabgeleit
Schlaflos! Frage und Antwort
Unstern - Sinistre

Tracks:

Sonata In B Minor: Lento assai - Allegro energico
Sonata In B Minor: Andante sostenuto
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro energico-Andante sostenuto-Lento assai
La lugubre gondola No.1
La lugubre gondola No.2
Legendes: 1. Saint Francois d'Assise: la predication aux aiseaux
Legendes: 2. Saint Francois de Paule marchant sur les flots
Harmonies poetiqes et religieuses: No. 7 Funerailles

Tracks:

Fantasia and Fugue on Theme B-A-C-H
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No. 1 Invocations
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.3 Benediction de Dieu dans la solitude
Harmonies poetiques et religieuses: No.4 Pensees des morts
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen
Isoldens Liebestod: Isoldens Liebestod: Final Scene From Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde'

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 1. Maestoso - Poco piu moderato
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 2. Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor Op. 15: 3. Rondo. Allegro non troppo - Piu animato - Tempo I
Theme And Variations

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 1. Allegro non troppo
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 2. Allegro appassionato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: 3. Andante - Piu adagio
Four Ballades, Op. 10: 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco piu presto
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 1 In D Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 2 In D
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 3 In B Minor
Four Ballades, Op. 10: No. 4 In B

Tracks:

Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 1. Ausserst bewegt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 2. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch - Intermezzo I (Sehr lebhaft) - Intermezzo II (Etwas bewegter)
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 3. Sehr aufgeregt
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 4. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 5. Sehr lebhaft
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 6. Sehr langsam
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 7. Sehr rasch
Kreisleriana, Op. 16: 8. Schnell und spielend
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 1. Von fremden Landern und Menschen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 2. Kuriouse Geschichte
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 3. Haschemann
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 4. Bittendes Kind
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 5. Gluckes genug
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 6. Wichtige Begebenheit
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 7. Traumerei
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 8. Am Kamin
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 10. Fast zu ernst
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 11. Furchtenmachen
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 12. Kind im Einschlummern
Kreisleriana, Op. 15: 13. Der Dichter spricht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 1. Des Abends
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 2. Aufschwung
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 3. Warum?
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 4. Grillen
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 5. In der Nacht
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 6. Fabel
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 7. Traumes-Wirren
Kreisleriana, Op. 12: 8. Ende vom Lied

Tracks:

Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 1. Thema
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 2. Variation III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 3. Etude I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 4. Variation I
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 5. Variation II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 6. Etude II
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 7. Etude III
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 8. Etude IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 9. Etude V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 10. Variation IV
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 11. Etude VI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 12. Etude VII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 13. Etude VIII
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 14. Etude IX
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 15. Variation V
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 16. Etude X
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 17. Etude XI
Symphonische Etuden, Op. 13: 18. Etude XII
3 Romances, Op.94: 1. Nicht scnell
3 Romances, Op.94: 2. Einfach, innig
3 Romances, Op.94: 3. Nicht scnell
Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12
Adagio und Allegro In A Flat, Op. 70
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 1. Zart und mit Ausdruck
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 2. Lebhaft, leicht
Fantasiestucke, Op. 73: 3. Rasch und mit Feuer

Tracks:

5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 2 Langsam
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 3 Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
5 Stucke im Volkston, Op. 102: No. 4 Nicht zu rasch
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro affettuoso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Intermezzo. Andantino gracioso
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op. 54: Allegro vivace
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen- im Legendenton - Tempo primo
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Massig Durchaus energisch - Etwas langsamer - Viel bewegter
Fantasy In C, Op. 17: Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten - Etwas bewegter

Customer Reviews:

A great compilation.......2004-04-25

Ever since I got a disc of Alfred Brendel playing Beethoven's favourite piano sonatas, I've had a special attention for his recordings and his view on music. To me, he is one of the best examples of a perfectionist. Lazy listeners call his way of playing pedantic but that is completely untrue. Listen more closely to any of is recordings and you'll hear an endless variety of colours, the most shimmering nuances and above all, tremendous warmth. But he is certainly not a perfectionist in the negative sense that is sometimes attached to the word: aside from being imposingly musical, his performances always have a great feeling of 'humanity'. There are many other great performers of the German repertoire (from Haydn to Brahms) but Brendel's recordings have a special familiarity to me, and he gives more than anyone else the feeling to me that the composer's genuine thoughts are present in the performance.

Brendel has a very special tone that accustoms itself very well to many different kinds of pieces. One of the essays in this great set deals with the many different sounds Brendel can create at the piano, something that intrigues me very much too. It is fascinating to hear how he touches the keys in his Mozart and Haydn recordings: here, he gets a sound out of the grand piano that sounds almost like the ancient fortepiano. Combined with his sharp and almost biting playing, he preserves some of the spirit of the time in which the works were composed, but combines this with the much richer and detailed sound of a modern instrument. Haydn's sonatas sparkle and so do Mozart's concertos.

In his Beethoven recordings, which are very well represented in this set, Brendel uses a somewhat similar style, but adapts more to the Beethovenian sound world: his tone is still aggressive but a little mellower and greater. He focuses a lot on small details and plays with a rather gentle sound in the variations, while his Hammerklavier doesn't avoid the grand gesture. The Piano concertos with Levine are full of joy and superbly crisp. Beethoven's works can be performed in a more massive or sweeter way, but that's what other recordings are for.

Brendel's Schubert is very notable for its total avoidance of the sweet and precious image of the composer that has settled somehow. Here, Schubert is presented as an ultimately dark and despairing composer, an image that is very appropriate regarding his general output. While Brendel sometimes tends to calm a bit of the hysteria in pieces like Beethoven's Appassionata, in Schubert he mainly emphasizes it. Hear how he attacks the Wanderer Fantasy, especially in the last minutes. Or how severely he gets the A minor sonata D784 to its throat. This is essentially the way I think Schubert should always sound.

It will be surprising for some to notice how much of Liszt has been recorded by Brendel, and also to hear how they sound. The Liszt recordings in this set show the composer from his most intellectual and imposing side. Brendel may generate an enormous sound that not everyone will associate with him from "Orage" in the Années de Pelerinage, but it is impressive rather than showy. Similarly, the Sonata receives the most detailed and complete performance I've heard, the Piano Concertos are simply stunning on all accounts and the variations on a Bach cantata show both the composer and the performer at their very best. It may be surprising to hear but I think you won't hear any better Liszt than this.

Finally there's a box dedicated to Brahms and Schumann. Brahms is another surprise. Brendel's D minor Concerto is one of the most impressive readings I've heard, close to Serkin/Szell, and his B flat is fine too, if a bit less impressive. His playing style here somewhat resembles that of his Liszt: it is rich, grand and always commanding. Few performers are as well able as Brendel is to match the endlessly complex musical thread of these two concertos. The fourth Ballade op.10 settles among the best readings - Kempff, Arrau, you name them. The Schumann pieces are performed in a way resembling Beethoven's smaller works: they create the same familiar living-room image, and it gets even more beautiful when oboist Heinz Holliger joins him to play a few folksong-like pieces. The set closes with a wonderful Schumann fantasy.

The track listing say that there's a bonus disc included as well, containing Brendel's first recording of Liszt's Christmas Tree suite, but my own set did actually not contain this bonus disc. With or without that disc, this is a set any piano aficionado should not miss. The only drawback can be the price, which is pretty high (not surprising with such a huge set)--if you can find it at all, now that the set seems to be OOP. At any cost, this is one the best box sets I own. If contains a thorough look at one of the most profound and intellectual artists of recent time and gives endless enjoyment.

Liszt.......2001-05-11

I recently purchased the boxed set of just the Liszt items from The Art of Alfred Brendel. I learned to love Schubert piano music by listening to Brendel, but Liszt was something of an exploration. And what a guide to take you on the journey! If you get the opportunity to get the Liszt set don't turn it up in preference to the more respected composers - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert etc.

Incomparable Brendel.......2000-12-29

I wish to focus on the works of Liszt included in this gargantuan package. Brendel is held in universal esteem, regarded by many as the greatest living pianist. His reputation is of unimpeachable musicality and seriousness of purpose (which does not contradict his ability to find musical humor wherever it lurks). He shows unparalleled ability to get to the musical core of the "Great Repertory" (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms); his performances leave mere pianism far behind. His championing of Liszt's music is especially important for just this reason. Liszt is too often accused of flashy superficiality. Nobody can accuse Brendel of this fault. And his Liszt recordings are among the most intellectual and probing, yet most moving, of any. He reveals Liszt as a daring and supremely important master. The pyrotechnics of the piano concerti are invested with real meaning, and the utterly spare, laconic late pieces become profound meditations on the human condition. His readings of Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude and of the Variations on Bach's "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" make one grateful for the very existence of music -- and for the capacity to capture it for posterity in recordings.

Beutiful.......2000-04-05

This is beutiful music. I have played some of his pieces on my flute and they are absoultly gorgeous. If you are a true classical music lover then you must buy this and have many nights by the fire with this wonderful music in the backround.

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