Piano Quartets of Brahms

1. Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 26
Composed by Johannes Brahms
with William David Brohn , George Work , Ames Piano Quartet , Laurence Burkhalter , Mahlon Darlington

2. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor ("Werther"), Op. 60
Composed by Johannes Brahms
with William David Brohn , George Work , Ames Piano Quartet , Laurence Burkhalter , Mahlon Darlington

Piano Quartets of Brahms,George Work,Johannes Brahms,Ames Piano Quartet,William David Brohn,Laurence Burkhalter,Mahlon Darlington,Dorian Recordings,Chamber,Classical,Classical Composers,Classical Music,Quartet for Keyboard and Three String Instruments

Average customer rating: A very fine digital recording of the quartets Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too Overproduced The Piano Quintet becomes an instant classic--Fleisher is incomparable

Piano Quintet in F Min / Complete String Quartets (1, 2, 3) Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Emerson String Quartet | ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Haydn: Piano Sonatas Volodos Plays Liszt Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4 Chopin, Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 ASIN: B000MGB3DK Release Date: 2007-05-08

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Romanze: Poco Adagio
3. Allegro Molto Moderato E Comodo-Un Poco Piu Animato
4. Allegro
5. Allegro Non Troppo
6. Andante Moderato
7. Quasi Minuetto, Moderato-Allegretto Vivace
8. Finale: Allegro Non Assai

Tracks:

1. Vivace
2. Andante
3. Agitato (Allegretto Non Troppo)-Trio
4. Poco Allegretto Con Variazioni-Doppio Movimento
5. Allegro Non Troppo
6. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
7. Scherzo: Allegro-Trio
8. Finale: Poco Sostenuto-Allegro Non Troppo-Presto, Non Troppo

Amazon.com

This handsome set of Brahms's chamber music features the stunning Emerson Quartet, and in the Piano Quintet, the pianist Leon Fleischer, happily recovered from a very lengthy crippling illness. The Quintet is singingly, lyrically played, with Brahms's long melodies the focal point. It's a beautiful performance, with the Emerson seemingly listening to and following Fleischer. The Quartets are performed with lush tone, with the Op. 51, no. 2, sounding particularly intense, with each dynamic change pointedly underlined. Op. 51's second movement (Romanze) makes the listener wish Brahms had set a text to the music -- it is played with exquisite lyricism. The B-flat major Quartet is vibrant, with the final movement's variations, colored by the viola, so clearly played that one can hear the echoes of the Quartet's first movement. A fine pair of CDs. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A very fine digital recording of the quartets.......2007-06-25

Leon Fleisher and the Emerson Quartet had a chance to make a fabulous digital recording of the Brahms F minor Piano Quintet--but they blew it. Instead we get an okay performance that features an overly thoughtful interpretation and frustratingly slow tempos in some spots. This is not an autumnal work, and the attempt by the players to do it that way doesn't work for me. I am not a total fan of the Emerson quartet--I personally prefer the more urgent and less lyrical sound of the Juilliard or Tokyo Quartets. However there is some exceptional playing in the 3 Brahms Quartets. Given the low price and the scarcity of recordings of the Brahms Quartets, I would recommend this 2-disc set.

Best Recording of the Brahms Piano Quintet & Superb Brahms String Quartets Too.......2007-06-21

I have long been a fan of Murray Perahia's great recording of the Brahms Piano Quartet with the Amadeus String Quartet, but now, Deutsche Grammophon has released what ought to be regarded as the definitive recording of this work. The great American pianist Leon Fleischer - who has thankfully recovered the use of his right hand due to some rather intriguing, innovative treatment - leads the Emerson String Quartet in a stunning, quite rhapsodic performance of one of the great works in the Piano Quintet repertoire, and indeed, of chamber music itself. I should add too that "lead" is the correct verb to describe this admirable performance by all five musicians in this truly incandescent recording, which is replete with ample distinguished, lyrical playing from cellist David Finckel and his Emerson String Quartet colleagues (Their playing is truly distinguished, at a technical and interpretative level which is unquestionably at a higher level than the Amadeus String Quartet's.). As for the three Brahms String Quartets, these are inspiring, vibrant performances in their own right, with ample exqusite lyrical playing from all four string players. Recorded over the course of several years in the venerable American Academy of Arts and Letters auditorium in Washington Heights, Manhattan (New York, NY) Deutsche Grammophon's sound engineers have done an exemplary job in capturing with exqusite detail ever note played by these five superb musicians, in an acoustical setting that should be regarded as quite ambiently warm. Needless to say this two-CD set is one of the finest recordings released by both pianist Leon Fleischer and the Emerson String Quartet. Devout fans of these musicians, Johannes Brahms' chamber music, and of great classical chamber music in general, will want to add this fine recording to their collections.

Overproduced.......2007-05-22

I never thought I would apply this adjective to a classical recording, but somehow it perfectly describes the cultured detachment of these performances, especially the Op 51, No. 1 C Minor Quartet. There is not a note out of place, the phrasing is precise and musicianly, the execution of its architecture is flawless, but... the sum of the parts is bloodless.

It's not the recording I would have expected given their full blooded Beethoven cycle. In fact, the Brahms production has more in common with their Mendelssohn cycle than the Beethoven. Their Mendelssohn too, was beautiful, but leaning toward the beauty of a still life. There are other performances, in both the Mendelssohn and the Brahms, that better capture the pathos of the music. Compare Emerson's performance of the C Minor Quartet with that of the Alban Berg Quartet, a superior performance. What the Berg may lack in refinement and polish, only in comparison to the Emerson Quartet, they more than make up for in sheer vitality.

And that's the nub of it. The desire, impetuosity, fear, triumph and pathos is missing -- in short, youthfulness. I just read a review, in the New York Review of Books, of some new translations of Casanova's autobiography and one of his statements reminds me of the Emerson. Casanova wrote that throughout his thirties, his vigor faded. I can't help wondering if the same thing hasn't happened to the Emerson quartet. They are more polished than ever, but the vigor has faded. The sexual rush of the great music is missing.

The Piano Quintet becomes an instant classic--Fleisher is incomparable.......2007-05-09

One could say that this DG 2-CD set is unmissable even before the first track begins. At two-for-one price we get to hear the great Leon Fleisher, miraculously recovered from his decades-long muscle affliciton (thanks to neurology and botox) and now capable of performing Brhams's most difficult works. Fleisher is, along with Rudolf Serkin, the greatest Brahms player among Americans. Here he doesn't disappoint, in a reading of the Piano Quintet that's incredibly moving, full of mastery in every phrase.

At first I was worried that he wouldn't be a match for the strainless stel Emersons, but they adapt their style to his. In every way they are second to Fleisher's lead, and the microphone placement puts his every note front and center. Often that's a drawback, but here it's what I wanted to hear. The interpretation is more relaxed than the great one from Pollini and the Quartetto Italiano and more emotionally free than Gilels with the Amadeus Qt. (NOt to mention that the Emersons show more technical ability and polish than either ensemble.) Fleisher's touch isn't as rapid and scintillating as it was in youth, but he never drags or blurs the notes. He makes each movement one great expanse of song, and in my experience there has never been a performance to equal his. rahms's broad sweeps of lyric beauty simply take off.

Oh yes, and there are three string quartets in addition. I have never warmed to Brahms's quartet writing, much as I love his other chamber music. The Emersons play with their usual amazing unanimity, and they capture Brahms's full-scale romanticism without reserve. This isn't one of their attempts to redo a classic composer in modern style. As in the Quntet, DG's sonics are wonderful, giving us the best string sonority I've heard in a long time. I'll leave it to other reviewers to detail the individual performances here. For me, the glory of this set will always be Fleisher and his amazing autumnal rebirth.

Average customer rating: great musicians An older recording, but still amazing great recording Very good! stirring!

Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Beaux Arts Trio | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Pressler, Menahem | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beaux Arts Trio | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Pressler, Menahem | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brahms: Complete Trios Schumann: Complete Piano Trios Brahms: The Complete Quintets Franz Schubert: Complete Trios Antonín Dvorák: Complete Piano Trios ASIN: B0000041EI Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

1. Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 1. Allegro - J. Brahms
2. Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 2. Intermezzo. Allegro ma non troppo - J. Brahms
3. Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 3. Andante con moto - J. Brahms
4. Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25: 4. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto - J. Brahms
5. Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 1. Allegro ma non troppo - J. Brahms
6. Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 2. Scherzo. Allegro - J. Brahms
7. Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: 3. Andante - J. Brahms
8. Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60: Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms

Tracks:

1. Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 1. Allegro non troppo - Brahms
2. Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 2. Poco adagio - Brahms
3. Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 3. Scherzo. Poco allegro - Brahms
4. Piano Quartet in A, Op. 26: 4. Finale. Allegro - Brahms
5. Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 1. Moderato - Brahms
6. Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 2. Vivace - Brahms
7. Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 3. Lento - Brahms
8. Piano Trio in A, Op. posth.: 4. Presto - Brahms

Customer Reviews:

great musicians.......2005-10-09

These are dense pieces and like a lot of Brahms could become overly heavy and plodding in the wrong hands. On this CD the Beaux Arts really bring out the romantic lyrical quality of this music unfailingly. The recording itself is just a hair distant but the detail is good. What fantastic piano one finds on these CDs! Strongly recommended.

An older recording, but still amazing.......2002-06-23

This collection of Brahms' piano quartets are a great listen all around. Every quartet has an enormous power and beauty to it.

I like to say about Brahms' music that it is airtight. There is never a wasted note. Every bit of melody, every nuance and texture in the harmony are masterfully crafted and serve a purpose. There is never a moment when you look at your watch and wonder when the composer is going to get around to wrapping this or that section up and get to the exciting stuff.

The Beaux Arts Trio along with Walter Trampler do a commendable job of bringing every moment of beauty and excitement out. They balance the sweetness of the slow movements and melodies well with the aggression and rhythmic complexities of the quicker movements. My current favorite quartet is the A Major. There is a singable melody or rhythmic puzzle in every movement. I listened to the final movement four times today (excessive I know, but it's just so much fun to try to figure out how Brahms manipulates those melodies within the time signatures)!

great recording.......2002-05-17

This is chamber music at its best played by the masters, the Beaux Arts Trio. All the pieces are played in a crisp, clean manner with the proper emotion and phrasing.

Very good!.......2001-04-01

I am an avid Brahms fan and just recently picked up this copy of the quartets. I love them! The rondo of the first quartet is fascinating and the pain in the C minor trio is unmistakable. As traditional as Brahms is, he is a definate romantic. I agree [...] about the last trio that is attributed to him. It isn't as good by far. The sound is very clear and the pianist on the recordings impressed me. If you don't own the quartets, go ahead and buy this set. You won't be dissapointed!

stirring!.......2000-01-10

I have only recently begun to love Brahms and these recordings make me question why it's taken so long! The music is incredibly rich and colorful, especially the C minor, Werther's Ballad, which you can just feel Brahms pain at losing his friend Robert Schumann! The Beaux Arts Trio is a sure winner! You will enjoy this!

Average customer rating: Very Good, but beware technical problems This is how all Brahms should be played! Mastery and joy 9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN! Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets Karl Leister , Johannes Brahms , Christoph Eschenbach , Cecil Aronowitz , Norbert Brainin , Siegmund Nissel , and Amadeus Quartet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Schubert: The String Quartets Brahms: Works for Solo Piano Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet Beethoven: The String Quartets Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets / Emerson String Quartet ASIN: B00008RWRG Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

Very Good, but beware technical problems.......2007-05-26

Overall, I really enjoy these pieces. The playing is good, and the sound is quite live, which I enjoy. My favorite piece is the Quintet in G Major Op.111, though the sextet in Bb is a close second. I am a perfectionist, and my familiarity with these pieces led me to be a little dissapointed, which is why there is only 4 stars. My dissapointment stems from two facts:
1. In the first movement of the Brahms G Major Op.111, the string quintet elects not to take the repeat in m.56, so you will never hear the first ending on this recording and thus only get one shot at the awesome cello opening. I haven't listened closely enough to the other pieces on this set to discern if they avoided other repeats or not, but for the most part, they appear to be there.

2. There are technical printing problems. Though the recording is so live that you can hear the breath of the musicians and their fingers fall on the strings, there are some actual technical pops in the recording. Perhaps it was a transfer problem from analog to digital, as the recordings are old. Most of these pops are minor, but they are dissapointing for an audiophile such as myself. My CDs are pristine (no scratches at all), and even the first time playing them these pops were there. So, here's the list of what I've found thus far:

CD 3:
Track 6: Pops & clicks at 1:19 & 1:22.

CD 5:
Track 1: Pops at 6:01.
Track 2: Pops & clicks at 0:13, 3:56, & 6:16.
Track 5: Pop at 12:07.
Track 7: Pop & clicks at 6:11, 7:45, 7:51-7:52 (these are quite noticable), 7:59, 8:03, 8:11.
Track 8: Pop at 7:34.

It is a well-played set; hopefully they will get the printing correct on the next batch.

This is how all Brahms should be played!.......2007-02-14

There isn't much to say about this set, but I'll say what there is to say: These players play the Brahms chamber music here with such emotion, musical understanding, and overall perfection that this set should be made into a must for all Brahms chamber music lovers. The Amadeus quartet, along with all of the other performers, including Eschenbach on the piano and Leister on the clarinet, really know what they're doing and play it so beautifully that the listener will want to hear the pieces again and again until the CD player is practically worn out. These Brahms works are some of the most sublime works of the later 19th century. For such quality music and great sound, especially for having been recorded in the 1960's, the price is also great. I recommend this set very highly, and hope you decide to get and enjoy it as much as I do.

Mastery and joy.......2006-12-12

Because they lasted such a long time and toward the end didn't play at their best, I found reasons to overlook the Madeus Qt. But in this 9-CD set of the complete chamber music of Brahms, there are some sublime performances--I would especially point to both String Sextets, for example. In every instance the style of the Amadeus is full of vibrancy and joy, and their ensemble isn't baased on technical perfection but rather a kinship of musical taste and feeling (this puts them poles apart from the Emerson Qt., for me at least). I also love the Brahms chamber performances on Sony with Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, emanuel Ax, and friends, but this DG set is altogether sweeter and more lyrical.

Since Amazon neglects to list the additional players who join the Amadeus for the works that aren't soely for a string quartet, here's the run-down from Tower:

1. Quartet for Strings no 1 in C minor, Op. 51 no 1
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

2. Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 51 no 2
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

3. Quartet for Strings no 3 in B flat major, Op. 67
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

4. Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, Op. 34
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Eschenbach, Christoph

5. Quintet for Strings no 1 in F major, Op. 88
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

6. Quintet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 111
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

7. Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A minor, Op. 114
Performer: Leister, Karl; Eschenbach, Christoph; Donderer, Georg

8. Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B minor, Op. 115
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Leister, Karl

9. Sextet for Strings no 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

10. Sextet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 36
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN!.......2005-10-04

This is a really nice set at a bargan price.

Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry.......2005-05-20

All the passion, majesty, pathos, and soul of his symphonies is in these 10 works of chamber music by Brahms:

3 string quartets;
2 string quintets;
2 string sextets;
a quintet for piano, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello;
a trio for piano, clarinet, and violoncello;
and a quintet for clarinet, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello.

All this wealth of extraordinary music is in a 5 CD set, performed by one of the finest chamber music ensembles in the world, with the added artistry of Christoph Eschenbach (piano), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), and Karl Leister (clarinet).

One CD is 50' 36 in length, 2 are in the low 60's, and 2 are in the low 70's.

I have an inexpensive CD player, but this music emerges from it with the sharpness of etched glass, the smoothness of warmed honey, and the softness of rivers of silver in moonlight.

This is music to celebrate the joy and the pathos of life, played with soul, sensitivity, and power. Buy it and treasure this gift to yourself.

Average customer rating: A well chosen album title Happy Birthday by Gidon Kremer A perfect birthday gift Jest with Zest I want to play the variations myself!

Happy Birthday Gidon Kremer , and Kremerata Baltica Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kremerland Vivaldi and Piazzolla: Eight Seasons From My Home: Music from the Baltic Countries Silencio After Mozart ASIN: B00006JP2B Release Date: 2003-01-28

Tracks:

1. Polka
2. Thema
3. Variation Nach Joseph Haydn
4. Variation Nach Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5. Variation Nach Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Variation Nach Johannes Brahms
7. Variation Nach Robert Schumann
8. Variation Nach Antonin Dvorak
9. Polka/Valse
10. Variation Im Stil Von Filmmusik
11. Ragtime
12. Tango
13. Czardas
14. Adagio
15. Allegretto
16. Ad Libitum
17. Allegro. Presto
18. Variations Brillantes Et Concertantes Sur L'air 'God Save The King,' Op.38
19. Elegy
20. McMozart's Eine Kleine Bricht Moonlicht Nicht Musik
21. I. Eine Kleine Nichtmusik
22. II. Moonlight Concerto
23. III. Chaconne A Son Gout
24. IV. Hommage To Shostakofiev
25. Souvenir

Amazon.com

To celebrate its sixth anniversary as an ensemble, Kremerata Baltica presents a light, loving, and musically interesting confection. After an opening polka by Schnittke (who knew he could be so frothy?), we get 11 variations on the song "Happy Birthday" by Peter Heidrich, à la Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, and some dance movements. Delightful. Elsewhere, Franz Waxman's Variations on "Auld lang syne" are as clever as they are unexpected and charming. More variations--this time on "God save the King" by the 19th century composers Ghys and Servais--afford Kremer and cellist Marta Sudraba a fine time, and Teddy Bor's brief riff on Mozart's omnipresent "Eine kleine nachtmusik" is a hoot. There's more, but the point is made: Classical music can be fun and sophisticated, and Kremer and his group remain virtuosi, one and all. --Robert Levine

Album Description

These young Baltic musicians possess a vivid spectrum of string color, thoroughly polished execution, and a direction of effort in service to the composer... There is no violinist with greater versatility and commitment to musical truth than Kremer. Slipcase. Nonesuch. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

A well chosen album title.......2007-01-10

I was desperately looking through the internet for a tango "happy birthday" and the tune was there, in this album. After I purchased the cd, I read the booklet included and there I found mentioned that "the album's title is not merely a reference to the popular tune, but a celebration of the ensemble's anniversary". So, I was happy to have finally found a tango "happy birthday" but I was also disappointed because this was not the playful album I was looking forward to listen to.
But this is a bit unfair for this excellent orchestra.
If what you are looking for is innovations on the romantic classicals... well this could be it. The point is that this is an album for listeners who know their way into classical music.
Other than that I should suggest that innovation regarding any classical music "playful" album would be to capture the listener's interest with more daring ways than that.

Happy Birthday by Gidon Kremer.......2007-01-09

This is a nice "classic" touch for any birthday celebration--great musical treatment of a most familiar tune!

A perfect birthday gift.......2006-01-26

I bought it out of my own devotion to Gidon Kremer and another one for a food friend's birthday. Kremer never let me down. This is another outstanding CD and a perfect birthday gift, even for non-classical lovers. However, to be very honest, I am not totally satisfied with all the tracks but still it's highly recommended. I would say it is an almost-must-have for your CD shelf. The variation of the traditional 'Happy Birthday' is fantastic if not too commercial.

Jest with Zest.......2005-11-26

If you enjoy parodies, this will be the perfect album for you. The jokes played on the various composers are amusing and refreshing, especially for music students who bore their brains out analysing these composers. Take a fresh view and enjoy! Even though they may seem meaningless initially, they grow onto you soon enough; and you will start asking - why not?

I want to play the variations myself!.......2004-07-22

My God...I will be too grateful to anyone who can show me where I can get the printed music of the "Happy Birthday" variation ....

Average customer rating: The "Clinker" of the bunch

Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLIS Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

The "Clinker" of the bunch.......2006-12-19

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

Average customer rating: The best available?

Brahms: The Piano Quartets Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Hamelin, Marc-André | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Hamelin, Marc-André | ( H ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Haydn: Piano Sonatas Marc-Andre Hamelin: It's All About the Music Stephen Hough's Spanish Album Volodos Plays Liszt Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2; Four Piano Pieces, Op. 119 ASIN: B000JCDRZY Release Date: 2006-12-12

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Intermezzo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Trio: Animato
3. Andante Con Moto
4. Rondo Alla Zingarese: Presto
5. Allegro Non Troppo
6. Scherzo: Allegro
7. Andante
8. Finale: Allegro Comodo

Tracks:

1. Allegro Non Troppo
2. Poco Adagio
3. Scherzo: Poco Allegro - Trio
4. Finale: Allegro
5. Andante Moderato
6. Andante Non Troppo E Con Molto Espressione
7. Andante Con Moto

Customer Reviews:

The best available?.......2007-04-03

Having had the Ax/Stern/Laredo/Ma for a while, I wondered what this performance would be like.
It is as near perfection as can be imagined. There is no hint of strain in any of the parts of these exceptionally demanding works. It is a joy to hear such ensemble playing with Hamelin leading - but not dominating the ensemble.
The addition of the late Brahms pieces enhances the issue and hopefully there will be more to come!
If you have any doubts - try the samples and then I am sure you will buy!

Average customer rating: This is TRUE chamber music Gorgeous music, great performance Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal

Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1, 2 & 3; Piano Quartets Nos. 1, 2 & 3 Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Stern, Isaac | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66 Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets Beethoven: The Piano Trios Schumann: Complete Piano Trios ASIN: B000002A8T Release Date: 1995-12-05

Tracks:

1. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: I. Allegro Con Brio - J. Brahms
2. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: II. Scherzo. Allegro Molto - Trio. Meno Allegro - J. Brahms
3. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: III. Adagio - J. Brahms
4. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 1 In B Major, Op. 8: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms
5. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro - J. Brahms
6. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: II. Adante Con Moto - J. Brahms
7. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: III. Scherzo. Presto - Poco Meno Presto - J. Brahms
8. Trio For Violin, Violincello, And Piano No. 2 In C Major, Op. 87: IV. Finale. Allegro Giocoso - J. Brahms

Tracks:

1. Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: I. Allegro Energico - J. Brahms
2. Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: II. Presto Non Assai - J. Brahms
3. Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: III. Andante Grazioso - J. Brahms
4. Trio For Violin, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 101: IV. Allegro Molto - J. Brahms
5. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: I. Allegro Non Troppo - J. Brahms
6. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: II. Poco Adagio - J. Brahms
7. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: III. Scherzo. Poco Allegro - Trio - J. Brahms
8. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 2 In A Major, Op. 26: IV. Finale. Allegro - J. Brahms

Tracks:

1. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: I. Allegro - Brahms
2. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: II. Intermezzo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Trio. Animato - Brahms
3. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: III. Andante Con Moto - Brahms
4. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 25: IV. Rondo All Zingarese. Presto - Brahms
5. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: I. Allegro Non Troppo - Brahms
6. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: II. Scherzo. Allegro - Brahms
7. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: III. Andante - Brahms
8. Quartet For Violin, Viola, Violincello And Piano No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 60: IV. Finale. Allegro Comodo - Brahms

Customer Reviews:

This is TRUE chamber music.......2005-10-18

These CD's contain some of the best chamber music ever recorded.
Each member of the ensemble seems to fit in without ever dominating.

If you want to hear how chamber music should be played - get these discs!

Gorgeous music, great performance.......2003-05-13

This is one of my favorite CD's. Excellent musicianship and sound quality are a bonus. The real draw to this cd, however, is the passionate interpretation the music. They really capture the emotion behind Brahms' music. I would recommend this to anyone who likes chamber music.

Brilliant Recording, Excellent Deal.......2000-04-19

This album is by far the most crisply recorded, lusciously played, and reasonably priced of all recordings of Brahms' chamber music. There is a 2-CD version with just the quartets for marginally less, but this is the one to get. There's plenty written about the recent Ma, Stern, Laredo, Ax effort (hard not to, considering that cast), which won Gramophone Magazine's best chamber album of the year. The trios are of equally fine quality (Stern is just as luminous in this much earlier performance), in rich, dark analogue sound, and make a superb offer in and of themselves. When coupled with the quartets for roughly the same price. . .? You really can't go wrong. A must buy.

Average customer rating: A sage performance Brahms and Rubinstein At Their Best...

Brahms: Piano Quartets Op. 25 & Op. 60, Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 65 Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 74 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 67 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 73 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 66 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 41 ASIN: B00005427M Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

1. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: Allegro
2. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: Intermezzo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Trio: Animato
3. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: Andante Con Moto - Animato
4. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: Rondo Alla Zingarese: Presto - Meno Presto - Molto Presto
5. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: Allegro Ma NonTroppo
6. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: Scherzo: Allegro
7. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: Andante
8. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

A sage performance.......2004-09-17

There are few pianists as universally admired and as venerable as Artur Rubinstein, and with good reason. Rubinstein wins over audiences with his charm and his assiduous determination to produce interpretations as close as possible to the heart of the music he happens to be playing at any given time. True, Rubinstein doesn't always provide the flashiest or the most pyrotechnically brilliant performances, but his integrity and his strength of purpose, permeating everything he touches, is nearly always beyond even the slightest reprehension.
This recording is no different. The performances of the piano quartets presented here demonstrate every such trait, with added touches of brilliance most discernable in the final movement of the Op. 25....and to play so at such an age! With the redoubtable Guarneris as his partners, Rubinstein produces deeply satisfying accounts of this wonderful repertoire. Indeed the works are a good match for Rubinstein, for Brahms was another man who valued character and quality of craft over ephemera. This disc is magnificent. In every way here is a match made in heaven.

Brahms and Rubinstein At Their Best..........2002-08-18

This is one of the wonderful fruits of the Rubinstein-Guarneri collaboration. It is bewildering that Rubinstein had to arrive nearly to the age of eighty before he could find "his" string quartet, after seventy-five or so years of extensive music making. Rubinstein is, as always, revealed as a suberp Brahms interpreter, and the Guarneris just as exciting. The performers show a deep grasp of Brahms's emotionality, harmonic complexity, and, most of all, finely articulated structure. The tempos are just right, unlike the second piano quartet (appearing on a seperate volume), where the first movement is rather slow (go for the Beaux Arts Trio). Together with the devine piano quintet OP. 34 (also on a seperate volume), these three performances are flawless executions of chamber masterworks. A must for every fan of romantic chamber music!

Average customer rating: Simply Amazing Brahms Waltzes Brahms's choral music done by Shaw - YOU KNOW IT IS GREAT! The Songs Are Truly Stunning -- A Treasure Trove

Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Robert Shaw Festival Singers | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brahms - Liebeslieder-Walzer Op. 52 & Op. 65 / E. Mathis, Fassbaender, Schreier, Fischer-Dieskau, K. Engel, Sawallisch Reincarnations Brahms: Ziguenerlieder; Quartette The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw ASIN: B000003CZ2 Release Date: 1993-04-27

Tracks:

1. No.1 Rede, Madchen, Allzu Liebes
2. No.2 Am Gesteine Rauscht Die Flut
3. Liebeslieder-Walzerm, Op. 52: O die Frauen
4. No.4 Wie Des Abends Shone Rote
5. No.5 Die Grune Hopfenranke
6. No.6 Ein Kleiner, Hubscher Vogel
7. No.7 Wohl Schon Bewandt War Es
8. No.8 Wenn So Lind Dein Auge Mir
9. No.9 Am Donaustrande
10. No.10 O, Wie Sanft Die Quelle
11. No.11 Nein, Es Ist Nicht Auszukommen
12. No.12 Schlosser Auf, Und Mache Schlosser
13. No.13 Vogelein
14. No.14 Sieh, Wie Ist Die Welle Klar
15. No.15 Nachtigall, Sie Singt So Schon
16. No.16 Ein Dunkeler Schacht Ist Leibe
17. No.17 Nicht Wandle, Mein Licht
18. No.18 Es Bebet Das Gestrauche
19. No.1 Vezicht, O Herz, Auf Rettung
20. No.2 Finstere Schatten Der Nacht
21. No.3 An Jeder Hand Die Finger
22. No.4 Ihr Schwarzen Augen
23. No.5 Wahre, Wahre Deinen Sohn
24. No.6 Rosen Steckt Mir An Die Mutter
25. No.7 Vom Gebirge Well Auf Well
26. No.8 Weiche Graser Im Revier
27. No.9 Nagen A Herzen Fuhl Ich
28. No.10 Ich Kose Suss Mit Der Und Der
29. No.11 Alles, Alles In Den Wind
30. No.12 Schwarzer Wald
31. No.13 Nein, Geliebter, Setze Dich
32. No.14 Flammenauge, Dunkles Haar
33. No.15 Nun, Ihr Musen, Genug!
34. Waldesnacht, Op.62 Nr.3
35. Der Abend, Op.64 Nr.2
36. Nachtens, Op.112 Nr.2
37. Abendstandchen, Op. 42 Nr. 1
38. O Schone Nacht, Op.92 Nr.1
39. Abendlied, Op.92 Nr.3
40. Rote Abendwolken, Op.103 Nr.11

Customer Reviews:

Simply Amazing.......2007-02-14

Without getting overly analytical, this music is a MUST HAVE for any romantic vocal fan. If you've ever performed these, it is what would be called a "masterpiece". You will get something the further you dig into the music. Easily performed if mediocrity is acceptable. If true art is the aim, almost immpossible. And an artistic performance by one of the best choirs in this century. Very recommended.

Brahms Waltzes.......2006-03-31

By the time Johannes Brahms' chamber works for vocal quartet and pianos came out, music in the home was certainly waning somewhat, but the Liebeslieder Waltzer succeeded; their high musical quality and accessibility are their great attributes, along with some evening-themed choral works, are features on this CD.

Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzer are made up of 18 settings of texts by Georg Friederich Daumer; the texts usually speak of courtly love in various moods. Written for two pianos and voices ad libitum, Robert Shaw chooses the choral route, as opposed to solo voices. Most are SATB settings with women and men often answering each other, waltzes for just women and just men alone, as well as the occasional solo. There are many points of interest in these waltzes: the first being the great variety of settings; they never get old or repetitive. A gift of melodic writing and daring harmonic progressions, along with formulaic hemiolas; each are very descriptive of the moods they are portraying. Both the classical chamber settings and the lush Romantic sweep of the harmonies and melodies are evident in these charming works; the entirety at about 23 minutes, each waltz, none much over 2 minutes each. The popularity of the Liebeslieder Waltzer led to more: Neue Liebeslieder Waltzer. 14 of the texts are by Daumer, the final setting is by Goethe. The texts are a bit more serious, unrequited love and the dichotomy of misery and joy involved with love. The change in tone of text is apparent in the musical setting; less fluffy waltzes, and more emotionally-wrought settings. Again, there are advanced Romantic harmonies, but less chatting between men's and women's voices, but still featuring solos and gender waltzes. Again for two pianos, the quality of composition seems to rise in this new set of waltzes, less formulaic hemiolas and more singing qualities. Of particular note is the amazingly beautiful, haunting Waltz No. 13 for women's voices and the emotional final waltz, the only waltz not set in 3/4, with a cappella moments, evoking the depth of Romanticism and the clean classicism Brahms represented. At 21 minutes, each waltz continues the standard form: opening idea, contrasting idea, with an occasional return of the opening.

Also on this disk are seven part songs written by Brahms on the theme of Evening, filling out the CD with an additional 17 minutes: Waldesnacht, Der Abend, Nachtens, Abendstandchen, O Schone Nacht, Abendlied, and Rote Abendwolken. Spanning from Opus 42-112, these works represent Brahms' great choral writing in the German tradition. Each feature vivid and descriptive poetry about the night, along with sumptuous choral writing.

Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Festival Singers present an outstanding recording of the two sets of Liebeslieder Waltzer. Shaw does not add any over-Romanticized techniques, and rubato is nearly non-existent, for some clear choral renderings of these works. The textures and moods are brought out of the score by simply following Brahms' score markings, not by manufacturing interpretations. The addition of lieder experts John Wustman and Norman Mackenzie at the pianos, makes this a first-class performance. While the Zigeunerlieder would have been a better coupling, the seven evening songs are a welcome addition to the disk, and beautifully sung. The vocal quality is spot-on, and achieves expressiveness as well as clarity; the Festival Singers succeed here as opposed to other OK Festival Singers recordings. For solo editions of the Waltzes, look to EMI or DG, but for choral versions, this beats all. While a total of 62 minutes seems slim for a CD, these works have never sounded so fresh and committed; a must-have.

Brahms's choral music done by Shaw - YOU KNOW IT IS GREAT!.......2002-07-19

In the time before TV, Movies, and, well, records - people would make music on their own. They would even form societies to perform choral or small ensemble music. This music is written for intimate performance. I mean, all you need is a group of 20-40 singers and a good piano with two decent pianists (it is piano four-hands).

They are short, charming, and emotionally satisfying pieces. The technical demands are not severe, but require performers of some experience if not extensive training. The kind of people who would have existed in some quantity in Germany at the time these were written. Remember, Brahms actually made a living from the sales of his published music! That is very rare in the history of music. But the relative sophistication of the time created the demand for such pieces and Brahms provided them with absolute gems.

This disk contains both sets of the Liebeslieder Waltzes (love-song waltzes) and the set of seven Abendlieder (evening songs).

As you would expect the Robert Shaw Festival Singers sing beautifully and the pianists support the singing very well. The Liebeslieder sets are charming and fun and BEAUTIFUL. I was fortunate to sing the second set with the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers this past year. It is quite fun. There is nice variety in the character of the pieces and there is enough solo work for the strong voices in the group to step out (NOT ME!).

The Abendlieder are utterly gorgeous. Emotionally rich and lush in sound and texture. A nice end to the disk.

The disk also includes a nice booklet with the lyrics of the songs and provides an English translation.

My only quibble, and it is a small one - and is getting smaller upon each re-hearing is that the recording sounds a bit too wet for my tastes. I would have like to have heard the parts a tad more clearly. But you will love this disk. So, don't worry about my little squawk.

Feel free to let me know what you think of the music and the disk.

The Songs Are Truly Stunning -- A Treasure Trove.......2001-02-28

Your collection of Robert Shaw CDs wouldn't be complete without this easily overlooked volume of Brahms, 40 tracks (62 minutes) worth of impeccably realized choruses. The entire Liebeslieder (Love-Song) Waltzes are here (the first 33 tracks). They've been known to show up in two versions, (1) for four vocal soloists, and (2) for a four-part chorus of moderate size. Both are valid; Brahms did not make his druthers known. Over the years I've come to prefer the soloist version myself, but this performance of Shaw's makes the best case yet for the choral version. (It's Shaw's obviously calculated planning-out of the many fine melodic turns of phrase that I get a little frustrated over, preferring instead to hear the impassioned spontaneity of a solo singer. With Shaw, that's a small gripe, to say the least!)

But listen, do you want to know a secret? It's the final seven tracks, which Shaw has called "Evening Songs." You can immediately hear that these are REAL choral pieces (that is to say, they wouldn't work at all with solo voices). They were selected from different eras in Brahms' life, and taken together they make a stunning impression. They have as their unifier texts about nighttime reveries and meditations. They stand with the best music Brahms ever wrote. You may find yourself cool to the frothy delights of the Waltzes (I don't; I think they're grand!), but you will not be able to deny the wonder of Brahms' - and Shaw's - achievement in these seven songs. Only 17 minutes they are, but they occupy a lifetime of taste!

Average customer rating: Brahms Well Served by Domus Voluptuous music and glorious ensemble

Brahms: Piano Quartets Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fauré: Piano Quintets Gabriel Faure: Piano Quartets No.1 & 2 Dvorák: Piano Quartets Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet In G Minor, Op. 25/Variations And Fugue On A Theme By Handel, Op. 24 Schumann, Brahms: Piano Quintets ASIN: B000026CIE Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

1. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: I. Allegro
2. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: II. Intermezzo. Allegro (Ma Non Troppo)
3. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: III. Andante Con Moto
4. Pno Qt No.1 in g, Op.25: IV. Rondo Alla Zingarese. Presto
5. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: I. Allegro Non Troppo
6. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: II. Scherzo. Allegro
7. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: III. Andante
8. Pno Qt No.3 in c, Op.60: IV. Finale. Allegro Comodo

Tracks:

1. Pno Qt No.2 in A, Op.26: I. Allegro Non Tropo
2. Pno Qt No.2 in A, Op.26: II. Poco Adagio
3. Pno Qt No.2 in A, Op.26: III. Scherzo: Poco Allegro
4. Pno Qt No.2 in A, Op.26: IV. Finale: Allegro
5. Pno Qt Movt

Customer Reviews:

Brahms Well Served by Domus.......2004-04-27

Brahms seems to achieve two very different ends in his music that exploits the minor keys. In compositions such as the First Symphony or the Piano Quintet, the minor key is used for dramatic effect. This is especially clear in the First Symphony, which follows the tried-and-true model of Beethoven's Fifth, with its progress from darkness to light and victory. With Brahms, the program is not very clear (not even so much as Beethoven's gloss for the Fifth Symphony's motto figure: "Thus fate knocks at the door"), but the drama is palpable nonetheless. On the other hand, in movements such as the passacaglia from the last movement of the Fourth Symphony, the minor key brings a sense of gravity that is truly tragic. Certainly this can be said of Brahms's C minor Piano Quartet. In fact, if Brahms did not provide a definite program for the high-strung first movement, at least he offered a literary parallel, telling early performers of the work that he had in mind a portrait of Young Werther, the hero of Goethe's novel, who blows his brains out for unrequited love. Behind the stormy passions of this tragic first movement is the history of Brahms's failed love affair with Clara Schumann.

It's a devastating musical portrait, magnificently sustained. The movement builds slowly to a great, quasi-symphonic climax at the start of the development section. Domus prepares this climax perfectly, unleashing it with all the fury and anguish it should have. In fact, they are in touch with all the emotions of this work, including the cooler, more Olympian drama of the scherzo, one of Brahms's very best, where the play of minor and major keys is like that of some lithe forest creatures chasing through sunlight and shadow. Maybe I wax too romantic here, but this is a beautiful movement and a beautiful performance of it. So, too, with the achingly nostalgic slow movement and the subdued passion of the finale. Gorgeous music beautifully played. Despite the huge popularity of the First Piano Quartet, in a performance like this it's clear the Third Quartet is the great work among Brahms's Quartets. In fact, I find it more commanding overall than the celebrated Piano Quintet, whose drama seems canned by comparison. The Quintet has always struck me (...)unsubtle, especially compared to this wonderful Third Quartet.

But the First Quartet is wonderfully entertaining, especially that gypsy finale, and Domus give it their all, too, in a performance and recording that are generally excellent, except that the piano seems occasionally to get swallowed in the reverberant acoustic, which tends only to beautify the playing of the other instruments. This is especially true in the last movement of Quartet No. 1, though it's something of a problem throughout the quartet. Still, the sound that Domus produces is both ample and homogeneous, unlike that of some more stellar quartets, who can't seem to help sounding like the individual stars the members are. This homogeneity also helps create a suave rendition of the Second Quartet, the Cinderella of the Brahms piano quartet canon, here given a lovely reading that makes a compelling case for this less assertive work, whose sixteen-minute first movement and ten-and-a-half-minute scherzo recall Schubert in temperament, melodic fecundity--and indifference to structural conciseness.

The early Mahler Quartet Movement is an interesting rarity and a nice makeweight for the second CD (the two disks together offer a very ample 137 minutes' worth of music). In fact, it's rather reminiscent of the first movement of Brahms's C Minor Quartet since Mahler, like Brahms, waits for the development section to unleash the decibels; it's all pretty restrained till then. But you won't return to this little piece often. No, you'll stick with the Brahms Quartets and, I think, enjoy them all thanks to Domus' superlative music-making. I also believe you'll agree with me that far and away the greatest of the Quartets is No. 3. Domus helps make that abundantly clear.

Voluptuous music and glorious ensemble.......2003-03-10

I am an avid fan of Brahms' chamber music. I own many recordings of his violin sonatas, viola sonatas, cello sonatas, piano trios, piano quintet, clarinet quintet and single recordings of the string sextets and string quartets. I purchased this recording in order to have a complete account of the piano quartets so that I could begin to fill in the gaps in my collection. I did not expect that I would end up regarding this recording as among my most favorite Brahms chamber music discs.

Brahms' chamber music is so voluptuous in its melody, harmony and couterpoint, and so richly evocative of his emotional world. His music evokes the widest spectrum of emotions ranging all the way from despair, poignancy and resignation to strength, resolve and festive joy. This recording does complete justice to Brahms' world.

What stands out in this recording is Domus' absolutely glorious ensemble. These players play as one. Where there are individual contributions, it is clear that these are talented individual instrumentalists. The string players' intonation is perfect and their solos are self-assured and sensitive, but their glory is how well they work together. The performers, the venue and the recorded sound all work together to create such incredible richness and immediacy. It's unfortunate that the sample tracks on this web page do not include the third movement of the 3rd quartet. I continue to listen to that single track over and over again. Once you hear Brahms in this kind of medium, it is difficult to go back to listen to anything with fewer instruments (for example his solo piano works).

I purchased another recording of the piano quartets for comparison (Ax, Stern, Laredo and Ma) and I expected to enjoy this recording more than the Domus recording as I am an avid admirer of each of these musicians. I came away preferring the Domus recording.

This is a 2-disc set. The first disc contains the 1st and 3rd piano quartets, while the 2nd disc contains the 2nd piano quartet and a movement of an unfinished quartet by Mahler. The Mahler piece is interesting for its historical value, but the real worthwhile pieces are the Brahms works. It is possible to get just the first disc of this set, but you pay full price for it. This set is available at a budget price and includes all the piano quartets. I recommend this 2-disc set in the strongest terms. Knowing what I now know about it, I would have paid full price for it.

Track Listings:

1. Piano Sonata in B
2. Piano Trio Op 17 / Piano Trio 1, Op 18
3. Pierre Fournier: Dvorák Cello Concerto
4. Quartet in E Flat for Piano Violin Viola & Cello
5. Resurrexi and Other Works by Gerald Near
6. Robert Volkmann: Piano Trios, Opp. 3 & 5
7. Robert Volkmann: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 4
8. San Marco 1527-1740
9. Scarlatti: Sonatas/Handel: Suite No.7 In G Minor/Chaconne No.1 In G Major
10. Secret Whispers

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Permanently High

Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica; Suite for Winds, Op. 4

The Big Bear Sessions [Import]

Passaggio Per Il Paradiso [Import]

Sound Factory

Soul Grooves, Vol. 1

Teddy Bear's Picnic

Prokofiev: Prodigal Son/Symphony 4

The Best of Red Simpson

Soul

Steel Guitar Air Show

Suntan [EP]

Secret Language of Ordinary Objects [Import]

Diamond Music

Hits!