Customer Reviews

Brahms: 7 Fantasies, Op. 116; 4 Piano Pieces, Op. 119; Sonata No. 2, Op. 2

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The second sonata (composed before the first sonata, but published by the mercilessly self-critical Brahms soon afterwards) is the least performed and recorded of the three. This exquisite performance by seasoned Brahms interpreter Emanuel Ax might claim to be the definitive version.

The sonata is soundly upstaged by a rare complete collection of the Four Piano Pieces, op. 119 and the Seven Fantasies, Op. 116. Brahms' miniatures for solo piano deserve a place with those of Schubert and Scriabin, and Ax's breathtaking performances leave the listener in no doubt as to why. I highly recommend this disc to newcomers and old friends of Brahms alike.

Emanuel Ax plays these challenging pieces beautifully with personal warmth and technical skill. The quality of the recording is very high.

Emanuel Ax performs these Brahms masterpieces like no other! Emanuel Ax is generally considered to be a great Brahms interpreter and an overall good pianist. This cd proves it. Emanuel Ax shows great expression and technical proficiency in this selection. This cd belongs at the top of every Johannes Brahms collection.

Emanuel Ax's Brahms is scrupulously detailed, finely textured and note perfect; I suppose some may miss a certain sense of danger, but partially that is result of Ax's scintillating technique. I suppose this is - whatever it may mean - "intellectual" playing, but that doesn't mean that Ax in any way shortchanges us for drama, passion, and allure. It is more a matter of the carefully judged crescendos and dynamic balances; every note is marvelously rounded and clear, the textures are clean, and the phrases fully coherent. Yet, when writing such things I do get the feeling that it sounds like criticism, but it isn't meant to be - at least not in this case. In the op.116 I can think of few pianists offering anything comparable in terms of rapturous beauty; the fantasies here are lithe and supple, but utterly captivating. The op.119 pieces are almost better still; dreamy but dazzling, crystalline yet powerful (of course, the version here, for all its significant qualities don't surpass Lupu, but it comes pretty close).

He also does the best possible job out of the early f sharp minor sonata, with it almost Lisztian drama. Of course, it's hard to seriously claim that this is major Brahms, but Ax seems to get every last bit of worth out of it, and the overall impression is extremely favorable - especially the powerful finale, which is the movement that best shows Brahms on the verge of establishing his mature voice. In short, this is a captivating account, and "captivating" is probably the best way to describe this recital on the whole. The sound quality is good, even though there is the occasional mechanical sound from the piano. Strongly recommended.