Brahms: The Complete Concertos

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by New York Philharmonic with Daniel Barenboim

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by New York Philharmonic with Daniel Barenboim

3. Rhapsody for piano in B minor, Op. 79/1 Rhapsody in B Minor, Op. 79, No. 1
Composed by Johannes Brahms
with Glenn Gould

4. Rhapsody for piano in G minor, Op. 79/2 Rhapsody in G Minor, Op. 79, No. 2
Composed by Johannes Brahms
with Glenn Gould

5. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by New York Philharmonic with Isaac Stern

6. Concerto for violin, cello, & orchestra in A minor ("Double"), Op. 102
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by New York Philharmonic with Pinchas Zukerman

Brahms: The Complete Concertos,Lynn Harrell,Johannes Brahms,Zubin Mehta,New York Philharmonic,Daniel Barenboim,Glenn Gould,Isaac Stern,Pinchas Zukerman,Sony,Classical,Classical Music,Concerto,Concerto for Two Solo Instruments,Keyboard,Piano Concerto,Rhapsody for Keyboard,Violin Concerto

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 Similar Items: Prokofiev: Complete Concertos Johannes Brahms: The Symphonies Brahms: Complete Piano Music Brahms: Complete Symphonies 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:

Brahms: The Complete Concertos Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Harrell, Lynn | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000026ZX Release Date: 1991-01-14

Average customer rating: Wonderful Decent as a Collection A great introduction

Brahms: The Complete Solo Piano Music and the Piano Concertos Idil Biret Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gigue | Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Sarabande | Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Gavottes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Canons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Biret, Idil | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B0000014BU Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata No. 1 In C. Major Op. 1: Allegro
2. Piano Sonata No. 1 In C. Major Op. 1: Andante (nach einem alteutschen Minneliede)
3. Piano Sonata No. 1 In C. Major Op. 1: Scherzo: Allegro molto e con fuoco
4. Piano Sonata No. 1 In C. Major Op. 1: Finale: Allegro molto e con fuoco
5. Piano Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 2: Allegro no troppo, ma energico
6. Piano Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 2: Andante con espressione
7. Piano Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 2: Scherzo: Allegro
8. Piano Sonata No. 2 In F Sharp Minor Op. 2: Finale: Introduzione (Sostenuto) - Allegro no troppo e rubato

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Minor, Op. 5: Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Minor, Op. 5: Andantae espressivo
3. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Minor, Op. 5: Scherzo: Allegro energico
4. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Minor, Op. 5: Intermezzo: Andante molto
5. Piano Sonata No. 3 In F Minor, Op. 5: Finale: Allegro moderato ma rubato
6. Ballades, Op. 10: No. 1 In D Minor: Andante
7. Ballades, Op. 10: No. 2 In D Minor: Andante
8. Ballades, Op. 10: No. 3 In B Minor: Intermezzo, Allegro
9. Ballades, Op. 10: No. 4 In B Major: Andante con moto

Tracks:

1. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 1 Capriccio In F. Sharp Minor
2. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 2 Capriccio In B Minor
3. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 3 Intermezzo In A Flat Major
4. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 4 Intermezzo In B Flat Major
5. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 5 Capriccio In C Sharp Minor
6. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 6 Intermezzo In A Major
7. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 7 Intermezzo In A Minor
8. Klavierstucke, Op. 76: No. 8 Capriccio In C Major
9. Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79: No. 1 In B Minor
10. Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79: No. 2 In G Minor
11. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 1 Capriccio In D Minor
12. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 2 Intermezzo In A Minor
13. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 3 Capriccio In G Minor
14. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 4 Intermezzo In E Major
15. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 5 Intermezzo In E Minor
16. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 6 Intermezzo In E Major
17. Fantasies, Op. 116: No. 7 Capriccio In D Minor

Tracks:

1. Three Intermezzi, Op. 117: No. 1 In E Flat Major: Andante moderato
2. Three Intermezzi, Op. 117: No. 2 In B Flat Minor: Andante non troppo e con molto espressione
3. Three Intermezzi, Op. 117: No. 3 In C Sharp Minor: Andante con moto
4. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Intermezzo In A Minor: Allegro non assai, ma molto appassionato
5. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Intermezzo In A Major: Andante teneramente
6. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Ballade In G Minor: Allegro energico
7. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Intermezzo In F Minor: Allegretto un poco agitato
8. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Romanze In F Major: Andante
9. Klavierstucke, Op. 118: Intermezzo In E Flat Minor: Andante - Largo e mesto
10. Klavierstucke, Op. 119: Intermezzo In B Minor: Adagio
11. Klavierstucke, Op. 119: Intermezzo In E Minor: Andantino un poco agitato
12. Klavierstucke, Op. 119: Intermezzo In C Major: Grazioso e giocoso
13. Klavierstucke, Op. 119: Rhapsody In E Flat Major: Allegro risoluto
14. Klavierstucke, Op. 119: Scherzo In E Flat Minor, Op. 4: Rasch und Feurig

Tracks:

1. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 1 In B Major
2. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 2 In E Major
3. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 3 In G Sharp Minor
4. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 4 In E Minor
5. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 5 In E Major
6. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 6 In C Sharp Major
7. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 7 In C Sharp Major
8. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 8 In B Flat Major
9. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 9 In D Major
10. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 10 In G Major
11. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 11 In B Minor
12. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 12 In E Major
13. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 13 In B Major
14. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 14 In G Sharp Minor
15. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 15 In A Flat Major
16. Waltzes,Op. 39 (First Version): No. 16 In C Sharp Minor
17. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 1 In G Minor
18. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 2 In D Minor
19. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 3 In F Major
20. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 4 In F Sharp Minor
21. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 5 In D Flat Major
22. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 6 In D Flat Major
23. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 7 In F Major
24. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 8 In A Major
25. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 9 In E Minor
26. Hungarian Dances WoO 1: No. 10 In E Major

Tracks:

1. Variations On An Original Theme In D Major: Op. 21, No. 1
2. Variations On A Hungarian Song In D Major, Op. 21, No. 2: Op. 21, No. 2
3. Five Studies For Piano, Anh. Ia-1: No. 1 Study In F Minor After Frederic Chopin
4. Five Studies For Piano, Anh. Ia-1: No. 2 Rondo In C Major After Carl Maria von Weber
5. Five Studies For Piano, Anh. Ia-1: No. 3 Presto In G Minor After J.S. Bach (1st Version)
6. Five Studies For Piano, Anh. Ia-1: No. 4 Presto In G Minor After J.S. Bach (2nd Version)
7. Five Studies For Piano, Anh. Ia-1: No. 5 Chaconne In D Minor By J.S. Bach (For Left Hand Alone)

Tracks:

1. 51 Exercises WoO 6
2. 51 Exercises WoO 6
3. 51 Exercises WoO 6
4. 51 Exercises WoO 6
5. 51 Exercises WoO 6
6. 51 Exercises WoO 6
7. 51 Exercises WoO 6
8. 51 Exercises WoO 6
9. 51 Exercises WoO 6
10. 51 Exercises WoO 6
11. 51 Exercises WoO 6
12. 51 Exercises WoO 6
13. 51 Exercises WoO 6
14. 51 Exercises WoO 6
15. 51 Exercises WoO 6
16. 51 Exercises WoO 6
17. 51 Exercises WoO 6
18. 51 Exercises WoO 6
19. 51 Exercises WoO 6
20. 51 Exercises WoO 6
21. 51 Exercises WoO 6
22. 51 Exercises WoO 6
23. 51 Exercises WoO 6
24. 51 Exercises WoO 6
25. 51 Exercises WoO 6
26. 51 Exercises WoO 6
27. 51 Exercises WoO 6
28. 51 Exercises WoO 6
29. 51 Exercises WoO 6
30. 51 Exercises WoO 6
31. 51 Exercises WoO 6
32. 51 Exercises WoO 6
33. 51 Exercises WoO 6
34. 51 Exercises WoO 6
35. 51 Exercises WoO 6
36. 51 Exercises WoO 6
37. 51 Exercises WoO 6
38. 51 Exercises WoO 6
39. 51 Exercises WoO 6
40. 51 Exercises WoO 6
41. 51 Exercises WoO 6
42. 51 Exercises WoO 6
43. 51 Exercises WoO 6
44. 51 Exercises WoO 6
45. 51 Exercises WoO 6
46. 51 Exercises WoO 6
47. 51 Exercises WoO 6
48. 51 Exercises WoO 6
49. 51 Exercises WoO 6
50. 51 Exercises WoO 6
51. 51 Exercises WoO 6
52. 51 Exercises WoO 6
53. 51 Exercises WoO 6
54. 51 Exercises WoO 6
55. 51 Exercises WoO 6
56. 51 Exercises WoO 6
57. 51 Exercises WoO 6
58. 51 Exercises WoO 6
59. 51 Exercises WoO 6
60. 51 Exercises WoO 6
61. 51 Exercises WoO 6
62. 51 Exercises WoO 6
63. 51 Exercises WoO 6
64. 51 Exercises WoO 6
65. 51 Exercises WoO 6
66. 51 Exercises WoO 6
67. 51 Exercises WoO 6
68. 51 Exercises WoO 6
69. 51 Exercises WoO 6
70. 51 Exercises WoO 6
71. 51 Exercises WoO 6
72. 51 Exercises WoO 6
73. 51 Exercises WoO 6
74. 51 Exercises WoO 6
75. 51 Exercises WoO 6
76. 51 Exercises WoO 6
77. 51 Exercises WoO 6
78. 51 Exercises WoO 6
79. 51 Exercises WoO 6
80. 51 Exercises WoO 6
81. 51 Exercises WoO 6
82. 51 Exercises WoO 6
83. 51 Exercises WoO 6
84. 51 Exercises WoO 6
85. 51 Exercises WoO 6
86. 51 Exercises WoO 6
87. 51 Exercises WoO 6
88. 51 Exercises WoO 6

Tracks:

1. Variations On A Theme By Schumann In F Sharp Minor, Op. 9
2. Variations On A Theme By Schumann In F Sharp Minor, Op. 9
3. Variations On A Theme By Paganini In A Minor, Op. 35: Book 1
4. Variations On A Theme By Paganini In A Minor, Op. 35: Book 2

Tracks:

1. Theme And Variations In D Minor GA Post. XV-9 (From String Sextet No. 1, Op. 18)
2. Gavotte In A Major From Iphigenie en Aulide By Christoph Willibald Gluck Anh. Ia-2
3. Sarabande In A Minor WoO Posth. 5-1 And Two Gavottes In A Minor And A Major WoO Posth. 4-1
4. Gigue In A Minor WoO Posth. 4-1
5. Sarabande In B Minor WoO Posth. 5-2
6. Gigue In B Minor WoO Posth. 4-2
7. Klavierstuck In B Flat Major Anh. Post. III-4
8. Canon In F Minor Anh. Posth. III-2
9. Canon (Inverted)
10. Rakoczy March Onh. Posth. III-10
11. Sarabande In A Minor: WoO Posth. 5-1
12. Impromptu D 899-2 By Franz Schubert D 899 (Study For The Left Hand) Anh. Posth. IV-2
13. Landler D 814 By Franz Schubert, Anh. Post. Ia-6
14. Piano Quintet By Robert Schumann, Op. 44, Anh. Posth. Ia-7: Scherzo

Tracks:

1. Four Song Transcriptions From 'Die schone Magelone' (Transcribed By Idil Biret): No. 12 Muss es eine Trennung geben
2. Four Song Transcriptions From 'Die schone Magelone' (Transcribed By Idil Biret): No. 10 Verzweiflung
3. Four Song Transcriptions From 'Die schone Magelone' (Transcribed By Idil Biret): No. 11 Wie schnell verschwindet
4. Four Song Transcriptions From 'Die schone Magelone' (Transcribed By Idil Biret): No. 14 Wie froh und frisch
5. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 1 In B Major
6. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 2 In E Major
7. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 3 In G Sharp Minor
8. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 4 In E Minor
9. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 5 In E Major
10. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 6 In C Major
11. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 7 In C Sharp Minor
12. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 8 In B Flat Major
13. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 9 In D Minor
14. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 10 In G Major
15. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 11 In B Minor
16. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 12 In E Major
17. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 13 In C Major
18. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 14 In A Minor
19. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 15 In A Major
20. Waltzes Op. 39 (Second Version): No. 16 In D Minor
21. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concerto In D Minor: For J.S. Bach: Concerto In D Minor BWV 1052 WoO Posth. 11
22. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concerto In G Major: For Mozart: Concerto In G Major K 453, WoO Posth. 13 - First Movement
23. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos: For Mozart: Concerto In G Major K 453, WoO Posth. 13 - Second Movement
24. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos: For Mozart: Concerto In G Major K 453, WoO Posth. 13 - Second Movement
25. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concert In D Minor: For Mozart: Concerto In D Minor K 466, WoO Posth. 14
26. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concert In C Minor: For Mozart: Concerto In C Minor K 491, WoO Posth. 15
27. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concerto No. 3 In C Minor: For Beethoven: Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37 Anh. Posth. IV-7
28. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concerto No. 4 In G Major: For Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58 WoO Posth. 12 - First Movement
29. Nine Cadenzas For Piano Concertos - Concerto No. 4 In G Major: For Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 In G Major, Op. 58 WoO Posth. 12 - Third Movement

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15 - Maestoso
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15 - Adagio
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 15 - Rondo: Allegro non troppo

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83 - Allegro non troppo
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83 - Allegro appasionato
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83 - Andante
4. Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat Major Op. 83 - Allegretto grazioso

Amazon.com

This set is a remarkable bargain, containing all of Brahms's solo piano music, including such chips from his workshop as cadenzas for other composers' concertos and a series of strictly mechanical piano studies that nobody will want to listen through. No matter. Idil Biret has a firm grasp of Brahms's idiom, and she plays with insight and passion throughout the set. Although she doesn't startle with her virtuosity, she handles the considerable technical demands of the music with great confidence. The orchestra and conductor make strong contributions on their two discs. The set comes with a fat booklet telling you nearly everything you'll want to know about the music. Too bad the individual variations in sets aren't tracked, but it's hard to think of another complaint about this monumental achievement, a startlingly reasonable way of getting to know Brahms better. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-06-11

I love this woman!!! Her playing is perfect, so is her technique!!! Lovely, just lovely.

Decent as a Collection.......2007-05-17

Referring back to my previous, extensive review (May 11, 2007) on Ms Biret's complete Chopin Piano Music survey, most of the problems described can be found also in her complete Brahms survey. The good news is that Brahms's music better can cope with Biret's weird pianism; the chief reason being the greater structural strictness of Brahms's music relative to that of Chopin. Still, her 'over-liberal' (or erratically exaggerated more accurately labeled) playing in terms of tempo, rubato and pedaling is disturbing throughout the set. Furthermore, her technique is better suited to Brahms than Chopin--even though its limitations become rather obvious in the, indeed fiendish, Paganini Variations.

Nevertheless, this set can actually be recommended as a decent alternative for those who desire the complete piano works of Brahms (because complete it is indeed!). One cannot be too picky here as the competition is markedly limited: Mr Jones's Brahms survey on Nimbus may offer more idiomatic interpretations, but is unfortunately severely marred by innumerous miss-hits that are too disturbing for pleasant repeated listening. A better recommendation, then, is Mr Oppitz (also playing a Bösendorfer--see below) on RCA (originally Eurodisc), although quite far from being masterful. One is better off collecting bits and pieces from Alexeev (EMI--nla) and Kovacevich (Philips). I would specifically like to recommend Grimaud's beautiful survey of the Opp 116-119 pieces (Erato).

Lastly, the piano sound is basically the same as in the Chopin set--a Bösendorfer captured with a highly metallic, fabricated quality. Even if Biret's playing is decent--seldom better or worse--the two stars are chiefly awarded for the good collection value of this bargain-priced box set.

A great introduction.......2000-10-16

Having the complete works of such at a times dense piano composer as Brahms is perhaps not the best way to go, but with Mrs. Biret at the piano, and at Naxos prices, is a wise decision. You are able to know the composer in a deep way.

Most of the performance are excellent, and you will not find one that is below average. The recording is very good and with ample sonic space.

I have heard it twice already, and allowed me to explore Brahms.

Highly recomended

Track Listings:

1. Cantatas 109 38 & 89 Volume 56
2. Cantatas 143 190 & 41 Volume 19
3. Cantatas 181 126 & 127 Volume 27
4. Cantatas 182 & 66 Volume 29
5. Cantatas 31 & 134 Volume 30
6. Cantatas 49 98 & 188 Volume 55
7. Cantatas 5 162 & 180 Volume 54
8. Canti Gregoriani
9. Catharine Crozier in Recital
10. Choral Music of Leo Sowerby

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

You Will Gasp and They Will Breath

Bernstein/Rodgers CLASSICS

Complete Recorded Works 6

Turnaround [Live]

Fallen Angel [CD-single] [Limited Edition] [Import]

Faces of Frank-O

Feed the Fire [Live]

Brahms: Piano Concerto in Bf No2, Op83; Pieces Op76

Country Sunshine

Erroll Garner Plays Misty

Concert Classics [Import] [Live]

Fast Forward

Basic Recordings: Early Hours - Mixed By [Import]

The Nature of Love

Jingle Bell Swing