Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Schumann: Introduction & Allegro

Brahms (Artist), Serkin (Artist), Szell (Artist), Cleveland Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027V5
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,925 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Maestoso

2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Adagio

3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: Rondo

4. Introduction and Allegro appassionato, for piano & orchestra in G major, Op. 92

5. Capriccio brillant for piano and orchestra in B minor, Op. 22

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rousing. Superb. Magical. Magnificent. Sublime. Supreme., June 15, 2001

By 

Ramon Kranzkuper (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Schumann: Introduction & Allegro (Audio CD)

Beethoven said, "Music should bring tears to the eyes of woman and strike fire in the heart of man"... if any composition will most surely do that, it is this (Brahm's Piano concerto no. 1), and if any performance of this magnificent composition is to be judged the best, this one (Serkin and Szell) is definitely a candidate.

It's strange that when people talk about Brahms, they don't usually talk as often about the piano concerto number 1 as they should, in my opinion. This opus is Brahms through and through - no other of his works is as typical of his style as this one.

If any piece of music "strikes fire in the heart of man and brings tears to the eyes of woman", it has to be that massive first movement of the piano concerto number 1. And in this performance, Serkin and the Cleveland led by Szell are as inspired as performers ever get. In the louder parts of his "loud" compositions (like the first symphony, and the first piano concerto) Brahms generally does not demand subtlety - if it's loud, the louder and more powerful the better! And Szell seems to understand this and delight in it. And in the tender parts, Brahms is, of course, unabashedly sentimental - and Serkin executes this sentimentality to perfection.

As a reviewer I usually refrain from using extreme adjectives - but I must let up on that principle of mine for this performance of the Brahms concerto no. 1 ! There are parts in the first movement that make the hair literally stand on end; there are parts that make the tears flow as though one has never wept before; there are parts that are simply too mind-blowing for one to say what they do.

The first entry of the piano : that infinite tenderness. The drums rolling the first subject at places throughout the movement: the Cleveland executes the drum-roll to perfection.

And towards the end of the movement - the slow descent of the piano into the "sanctum sanctorum", which must surely rank as one of the most lyric passages in all of music! - and then the thunderous rise of the orchestra into that unforgettable, all-destroying climax -

I'm going astray with my words. I really cannot write a well-thought out review for this performance. Recalling that first movement makes me drunk. Just get the CD now! In my twenty years as a lover of Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert, this CD is one of the ten most precious in my collection.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MONUMENTAL BRAHMS PIANO CONCERTO NO:1, August 5, 2000

By 

demien (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Schumann: Introduction & Allegro (Audio CD)

This is the most compelling version of the Brahms Piano Concerto that i have ever heard. Rudolf Serkin and George Szell made many recordings together but none as imposing as this one. The 1st movement resembles the apocalypse with the Cleveland Strings lashing out the very first notes and Rudolf Serkin responding like a cobra striking his prey. Conviction and authority maintain this intensity throughout this movement. Serkin plays the adagio with supreme concentration and wonderful phrasing resulting in an inner depth that is mesmerizing. You feel as if nothing else exists or is of significance except the music at hand. Time stands still for just a moment. The 3rd movement has Serkin playing with a sparkling precision and power that is captivating. Serkin and Szell battle it out thru the counterpoint of this titanic movement which concludes in a unity of the forces displayed.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a mighty interpretation of one of the great piano concertos!, November 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Schumann: Introduction & Allegro (Audio CD)

Serkin and Szell perform as if their life depended on it. Serkin provides power and majesty in the 1st and last movements..delicacy and tenderness elsewhere. Cleveland offers sharp ensemble as usual but Szell lets the music flow freely... No slave to his usual anal demand of precision and nothing more. Magnificent! you will not find a better version. Brahm's vision is brought forth in this shining collaboration. o.f.