Brahms: The Piano Concertos |
| |
|
|
Artist:
Nelson Freire,
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig,
Riccardo Chailly
Average Customer Rating: 
List Price: £22.99
Our Price: £12.77
|
|
|
|
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028947576372
Format: Box set
Label: Decca (UMO)
Manufacturer: Decca (UMO)
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Decca (UMO)
Release Date: 2006-06-12
Running Time: 49
Studio: Decca (UMO) |
|
|
|
Disc 1:
| 1. 1. Allegro non troppo | | 2. 2. Allegro appassionato | | 3. 3. Andante - Più adagio | | 4. 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco più presto |
|
|
Top Class B flat, 2008-12-19
My reactions after several months of listening are that the D minor is a very good performance but the B flat is outstanding. I'd have been pleased to hear the First in concert, but ultimately I think it lacks a special quality - the austere authority of Gilels/Jochum, the sinuous strength of Curzon/Szell or the frolicsome fire of Kovacevich/Sawallisch.
But in no. 2 Freire and Chailly capture the breadth of the first movement while keeping it moving, the grip of the second without losing the dance, the repose of the slow movement without falling asleep and the undertow of the finale whilst retaining its life. The result is convincing and compelling. The characteristic Gewandhaus band are a delight throughout, and the recording is well balanced. The documentation is rather thin for a new release, but you can't have everything.
 Excellent Performances - slight doubt about recording, 2009-10-01
Two excellent performances from Freire, suitably coupled together. The B flat is a wonderful and poetic performance - fiery too in the right places. A performance to put among the best. If the D minor makes a little less impact it is certainly not due to the playing but perhaps because the piano is balanced a little too far back and has a little less impact than it should. Hence it doesn't quite jolt at the major climaxes in the way Serkin (for example) used to. And good though Chailly is, he doesn't quite detonate the climaxes in the way Szell did for both Curzon and Serkin. That said, these are performances to treasure.
The best of the modern recordings , 2009-03-02
Like the previous reviewers, I agree with the sentiments of this being the top modern recording of the piano concertos- the orchestra well controlled and sounding excellent under Chailly, the interpretation by Freire among the very best on record with a great balance of lyricism, power and sheer athleticism.
There is so much to recommend about the recording, but as with all recordings there are a few little niggles. Although the sound quality is first rate, the balance between piano and orchestra is sometimes favoured too much with the orchestra. This only detracts slightly from the listening experience and the same can be said with a couple of slips and at times, weak playing.
All in all, an excellent interpretation and recording of the two piano concertos, and very highly recommended, not just here, but by Gramophone and the other reviewers. Worth buying without hesitation.
Great Performances, 2008-07-20
For me it is not so much about whether I like my Brahms muscular or noble or sensitive or immaculate. There is no "right way" to play a great masterpiece - there are merely more and less successful attempts to convey a clear and stimulating vision of what they are. These performances are truly great. Perhaps they are the greatest ever committed to disc - I am too excited by them to consider this possibility objectively at the moment.
The pieces and the many familiar wonderful moments (and some new ones) all come together as a whole in a most impressive way - the vision of these works is whole and complete and can be heard in every phrase. In every note these towering masterpieces stand up and say "Hello, I am Brahms 1st/2nd piano concerto" and you know it is true. Freire is the star, of course, but Chailly's contribution is wholly idiomatic and absolutely a piece of these remarkably unified performances.
For me these versions equal and perhaps surpass those of Gilels and Kovacevich - my favourites upto now - but they are totally different to both of those two (very different) performances. I have played these discs continuously since buying them.
At last!, 2006-07-04
At last a satisfying modern recording of the two great concertos in more than respectable sound. Deceptively laid back in places, Freire never fails to rise to the occasion when those great moments arrive. Chailly - not usually a favourite conductor of mine - has the orchestra on its toes and never seems to miss a trick. Above all there is a clarity and transparency of detail which are very welcome and unusual in recordings of these works, especially the First. Maybe not the absolute greatest individual performances of all time but well worth acquiring, even if you already have the Gilels coupling. Very refreshing.
|
