Brahms: Double Concerto,Op.102 / Schumann: Cello Concerto,Op.129

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Robert Schumann (Composer), Andrew Constantine (Conductor), National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (Orchestra), Maria Kiegel (cello) (Performer), Ilya Kaler (violin) (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Maria Kiegel (cello), Ilya Kaler (violin)
• Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland
• Conductor: Andrew Constantine
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (June 27, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00000140T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,447 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Concerti by Brahms & Schumann, April 23, 2007

By 

JohnL "jomin44" (Alexander, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Double Concerto,Op.102 / Schumann: Cello Concerto,Op.129 (Audio CD)

What a nice coupling! Instead of putting Brahm's Double with Beethoven's Triple Concerto, like so many others, Naxos has nicely put together Schumann's beautiful Cello Concerto with the Brahms Op.102. Of course, most know of Johannes Brahm's fondness for the pianist, composer, and wife of Robert Schumann, that is, Clara Wieck (Schumann). First, the Schumann Concerto, which Robert referred to as a "Concert piece for cello with orchestral accompaniment", which was composed in 1850. It's first public performance was not given until 1860, four years after Schumann had passed. The soloist here in this recording is Maria Kliegel. She is well-balanced, with very good sound provided by the Naxos engineers. She receives fine support from the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, conducted by Andrew Constantine. A perfect balance is achieved by the soloist and the orchestra, with excellent results. The Brahms Double Concerto was written about two years after his Fourth (and final) Symphony, in the year 1887. This is a very appealing performance recorded on this release. Once again, the cello soloist is Kliegel, with the violin played by Ilya Kaler. Both are well 'in-sync', with very good intonation. The difficult double-stopped chords played together by both players in the finale are exceptional and very clearly captured in this warm, full-bodied recording. The beautiful main melody in the Andante comes off wonderfully. Then, the finale is performed unhurriedly, but with wit and charm. At this great Naxos price, both of these works on this CD are highly recommended, competitive with most full-price versions available.