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| |  | DVD-CD-VIDEO | Home » » Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116 | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| September 17, 1996 | | Studio:
| Deutsche Grammophon | | Composer:
| Johannes Brahms | | Conductor:
| Eugen Jochum | | Orchestra:
| Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | | Number Of Discs:
| 2 | | Format:
| Import, Original recording remastered | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 38 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | Disc: 1 | | | 1. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Maestoso - J. Brahms | | 2. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Adagio - J. Brahms | | 3. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-moll Op. 15: Rondo. Allegro non troppo - J. Brahms | | | Disc: 2 | | | 1. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegro non troppo | | 2. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegro appassionato | | 3. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Andante | | 4. | Konzert fur Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur Op. 83: Allegretto grazioso | | 5. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 1 Capriccio: Presto energico | | 6. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 2 Intermezzo: Andante | | 7. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 3 Capriccio: Allegro passionato | | 8. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 4 Intermezzo: Adagio | | 9. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 5 Intermezzo: Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento | | 10. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 6 Intermezzo: Andantino teneramente | | 11. | Fantasien Op. 116: No. 7 Capriccio: Allegro agitato | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 38 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 75 found the following review helpful:
Heroic - and my favorite reading hands downNov 11, 2005
By Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo
These readings are legendary. I searched and searched for a good set, first trying Zimerman/Bernstein (horrid recording quality, saggy accompaniment) then trying some older recordings (Katchen/Ferencik, Kovacevich/Davis, Rubinstein/Ormandy), then even a different version by the same performer (Gilels/Reiner/CSO) and finally going to an old favorite of mine on the keyboard (Pollini/Abbado). In all cases, I was not really a fan of a) either the ensembles' un-Brahmsian (in my opinion) accompaniment or b) the soloists' interpretations or execution. However, these recordings, when I first bought them in the old DG Galleria release, were a revelation. Gilels' playing can best be described as monumental, and Jochum's direction is Brahmsian to the core. Jochum, who always excelled in music of this level of grandeur (listen to his Bruckner!), constructs a firm yet supple orchestral line which perfectly complements Gilels, who is by turns elemental and serene. These are magical performances, and the result is a rarity in that both concertos are amongst the greatest ever readings of the works (especially for #2; only Fleisher/Szell, Backhaus/Bohm and Anda/Fricsay come close - #1 has serious competition from Fleisher/Szell and Curzon/Szell). For the sake of comparison, in #2, the Fleisher and Backhaus sound rushed next to this performance, particularly the Fleisher; and while the Anda reading is much closer in terms of overall approach - ultra-legato - Anda stumbles occassionally during some of the most fiendish passages where Gilels does not. In Concerto #1, I'm a bit divided, as both the expansive performance on this disc and Szell's quick, incisive and direct accompaniment work equally well.
I suppose I should also mention that the Fantasias, op. 116, are masterfully interpreted here and are the best I've heard, far above and beyond Kempff, Katchen or Lupu. It's a great filler, although it would be insulting to call them that. A pity Gilels didn't live long enough to record Opp. 117-119. One final minor annoyance: I don't understand what happened to the Ballades Op. 10, which used to be included in the old Galleria release.
As for the sound: with the new DG Originals transfer, the sound finally matches the performances; gone are the whiny strings and the somewhat hollow sound from the original transfer, and in its place we have a recording that sounds almost brand new, with great clarity in the brass, piano, and orchestral forces. The liner notes are a little weak, which I've noticed on a lot of these "Originals" releases.
With all that being said: If you must only have one recording of these two concertos, then this is the one to get. Truly desert island stuff.
50 of 53 found the following review helpful:
a truly great recordingOct 05, 2006
By Frank Bunyard
To my mind neither Eugen Jochum nor Emil Gilels received the acclaim appropriate to their genius while they were living. Even now it appears they are appreciated mainly by a small clique of true classical music lovers.
These two performances of Brahms' Piano Concertos are flawless. They were both recorded in 1972 when Jochum was age 69, and Gilels was 55. Two masters in their mature prime. Add to this The Berlin Philharmonic and recording by Deutsche Grammophon. This is perfect Brahms. The treatment of both concertos is equally superb, achieving a synthesis of piano and orchestra in performances of unfolding eloquence and power.
In 1987 at age 85 (a year before he died) Eugen Jochum was asked in an interview about his memory of great recordings. He singled out the 1972 Brahms with Gilels as perhaps the finest recording of his career.
36 of 37 found the following review helpful:
FAVORITE PIANO CONCERTIJan 03, 2006
By GEORGE RANNIE
"GWRJWMCL"
Brahms's monumental piano concertos are my very favorite piano concertos. Therefore, I own many recordings of same. Nevertheless, this recording with Gilels and Jochum is my absolute favorite! It is a recording that I've listened to, at least, once a week for many years. Gilels and Jochum truly play these "monsters of the form" wonderfully capturing Brahms's fierceness as well as his tenderness beautifully.
Truth be known, I slightly prefer the 1st concerto-I know that is a musical sacrilege. My god, Gilels plays the hell out of that work delivering those (what I call) "trills of death" in the first movement in such a manner that it still sends chills up and down my spine no matter how many time I have listened to the work.
DGG has done a superb job in it transfer to this "new" CD form. I owned the original vinyl recordings; however, I feel these CDs give the recording more depth with the sound being far richer.
If you want to hear a legendary and sublime recording of the Brahms's Piano Concertos,buy these discs.
27 of 29 found the following review helpful:
MonumentalMar 04, 2005
By Benjamin R. Garrison
I had heard this was an excellent recording--and since Gilels is one of my favorite pianists, I bought this despite already owning two other versions of Brahm's two piano concertos. When I first listened to the opening movement of the first concerto, I was surprised. I hated it! I wanted my money back. It seemed way too slow, too ponderous and at times too sleepy and quiet. Then it occurred to me that I had had the exact same reaction that greeted this work at its premiere performance. As I recall, even the conductor didn't care for it, and the work was even hissed. Brahms got over it. So did I. When I listened the second time I couldn't imagine why I didn't like it. The more I listened, the more it agreed with me. This is indeed one of the best recordings of these works. The sound is excellent and has great range. It's full of sparkling clarity--never muddy. From the angry and intense growl of the opening drums, through the hush of profound poetry that came in gentle waves of love and truth, the range and personality of the instruments is superb.
Gilels playing is very moving. There is thoughtful subtlety and contrast here. The 2nd is full of the dramatic muscularity and passion that people have come to expect from this work. Excellent stuff. The Fantasien, capriccios and intermezzos make this 2 CD set a bargain. Buy it.
43 of 49 found the following review helpful:
Outstanding on all countsMar 14, 2004
By R. Lane
These recordings, and the remastering in the current edition, come as close to perfection as one could possibly want. Gilels and Jochum are never excessive with music that can easily be over-interpreted. The readings are truly Brahmsian, never close to the Rachmaninov-like indulgences many take with this music, especially #2. I recall the Pollini recording of #2 with Abbado as a good example of how NOT to play Brahms. While you know you are listening to music from the Romantic era with Gilels and Jochum, you also know that you are not that far removed from the Classical era either. I have no desire for any other recordings of these works now that I have these.
See all 38 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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