Customer Reviews

Brahms: Four Hand Piano Music, Vol.2

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Perhaps not since Walter and Beatriz Klien recorded these Hungarian Dances some 30 years ago (Turnabout TV34068S) has such a fine new recording of the four-hand piano version of these magnificent dances been issued. And, to my ear, it is just this four-hand version of these ambitious dances that provides what is required--more power than the solo version, with no sacrifice of authenticity and nuance as frequently happens in their orchestral renderings. Here you can distinguish and appreciate those "wrong notes" in the sixth dance which are usually lost when the work is performed by full orchestra. These German pianists play with a remarkable combination of accuracy and spontaneity; one senses they love the music and want to do everything possible to bring it unscathed to the listener. And the technical clarity and presence of the recording will delight you. This disc also includes Brahms' 18 Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52a. Although I personally am partial to the vocal version of this music, Matthies and Koehn here again do a first-rate job in bringing out the romantic, and even dreamlike, qualities of these unusual and captivating melodies. You will not quickly tire of this recording.

Don't let the low price fool you. This is a top-notch recording by two of Germany's leading pianists, who specialize in this type of music. The tempos are brisk, with plenty of rubato and portamento, beautifully matched from piano to piano. There is plenty of Gypsy fire. Listen to number 4 and it will remind you of the piano accompaniment to old silent films, as it should! Number 6 makes the most of the augmented seventh/tonic combination that makes one want to get up and dance.

I like my Liebeslieder Waltzes sung, but these are a real treat as well.

I really enjoyed this recording. The musicians are excellent and the sound quality is crisp. Although you usually hear these peices performed by orchestra, they were originally written by Brahms as four hand piano pieces. So when you listen to these recordings, you are listening to them the way that the composer intended and it adds to the authenticity. My favorites are Dance No. 4 which has an achingly beautiful melody and alternates between slow minor and fast major keys. Of course Dance No. 5 is the most famous and that is another favorite. Dance No. 8 is an interesting song written in A Minor with a descending and ascending melody. This is a great bargain for the price.

Seventy-six minutes of Brahms' most popular music is found on this enjoyable CD. Matthies and Köhn seem to have been engaged in recording all Brahms' fourhanded piano music for Naxos. And it is amazing how much of it there is! So acute is their insight into each of the Hungarian Dances that you'll not wish to be hearing them in their orchestral versions instead. The Liebeslieder Waltzes are affectionately played, but the original version, with a quartet of singers, is to be preferred.

I am happy with this CD. I wanted to get the four-hand piano version of the Brahms Hungarian Dances without paying too much for them. This CD was just right for me. The Hungarian Dances, as well as the Liebeslieder Waltzes, are played with plenty of energy. The sound (recorded 1995) is very good. I have greatly enjoyed this CD , and I highly recommend it to those interested in the Brahms Hungarian Dances.