Customer Reviews

Brahms: Haydn Variations; Waltzes; Sonata in F minor

5 star:		(4)
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Agerich and Rabinovitch make Brahms far larger than life in this incredible recording. The Haydn variations are big, spectacular and coloful, yet pure and unromantic. In addition, the two pianos add a lovely harmonic dimension to the selections from Brahms' waltzes. The variations sound reverent and pastoral at the biggining, and their tone is austere yet evocative. In the later tracks, however, they explode into brilliant and powerful color, and their mood is unmistakably Brahms' own. The piece throughout shows distinctly concrete rythme and compositional articulation, yet Agerich and Rabinovitch weave in heatedly passionate emotion and miteculous nuance. I highly recommend this CD.

I had tickets to see Shostakovich's 8th Symphony years ago in Carnegie Hall and Brahms' Violin Concerto was on the program. So I listened a few times, and of course, was completely blown away (best violin concerto in the SR). Even after that revelation, when I heard the amazing Argerich premiere disc (Debut Recital / Martha Argerich), I could not believe Brahms wrote such exciting piano music. Well, this disc was yet another find, especially the Sonata for 2 Pianos (its scherzo is the high point of the disc, simmering with the same wracking intensity as the Rhapsodies, and also, having a hypnotic/circular quality that seems like a strange bridge between the worlds of Beethoven and the moderns (e.g. Bartok, Prokofiev, etc.)).

Highly recommended.

What a joy to have found this oop recording on amazon! I've searched for this ever since hearing ms. argerich play the brahms haydn variations live in concert with nelson freire. abramovitch is nearly freire's equal in collaboration with argerich. while some may prefer a more free and romantic take on brahms, i find their blend of technique, quality of sound, faithfulness to the score and nuanced musicianship makes for some of the most outstanding music making i've heard in two piano performances. Highly recommended if you can find it.

I just heard the 'Haydn Variations' on the radio. They sound even BETTER (!!!) than the orchestrated version (which I like)--lighter, but also more soulful...and even more colorful. Argerich and her companion do themselves proud. My suggestion: RUN, don't walk, to buy this recording.