Customer Reviews

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This concerto is simply the greatest work of its genre, so there is room for more than one way to interpret it. Serkin and Szell serve this Brahms flambé, with a pedal-to-the-metal reading that maximizes the impact and power of the work as no other performance does. No, they don't match the Gilels/Jochum CD's nuance and poetry. Nobody does. But in the second movement, even Gilels--in fact, even the more sprightly Gilels/Reiner performance--sounds like "allegro milktoast" compared to this one.

For almost everyone interested in Brahms, this recording is a "must." Serious collectors will prize its distinctiveness and vitality; newcomers will find no better introduction to Brahms than a performance that is as far from boring as great playing gets. Audiophiles, however, will disdain the Columbia sound, which even in the 1960s might have been clearer and cleaner.

Okay, let's cut to the chase? Like Brahms? Like Piano Concerto's then hands down you have to own this recording!!!!
Is it old yes. But it is hands down the definitive recording of this remarkable piece of music. Rudolph Serkin was one of the most brilliant pianists of the 20th century and was in fact for many years associated with this piece of music.
Szell was one of the great orchetra builders of his time like Reiner in Chicago.

This Piano Concerto is arguably one of the greatest written in its genre. Very unique in that Brahms does not treat the Piano as simply a solo instrument to show off the virtuousity of the solist although there are plenty of passeges in this piece that do that. Rather Brahms creates a concerto where the orchestra and Piano are equals.
They play with one another. It is really a symphony in scale and magnitude. One does not overshadow the other.

No other concerto does this. The effect is unbelievable. If you are on a desert insland and can only take 10 records with you, assuming they are all classical, this is one of them!!!!

This recording is the best of both worlds. Serkin and then Szell. Together they represent the ultimate interpretation of Brahms. To pick one movement over another would be extremely difficult, but hearing the 3rd movement by these two artists is worth the price and more.

One of the best Brahms 2 Concerto. Very expressive, always stirring.

Desde un comienzo y hasta el último acorde esta es una version inigualable de este Concierto, lo mejor de Brahms en una interpretación soberbia.
Rudolf Serkin es un solista de excepcion verdaderamente pulcro y con una fuerza interpretativa sobresaliente. George Szell hace que la Orquesta de Cleveland llegue a un sonido increible.
La introducción en el primer movimiento es generosa, envolvente sentiras su fuerza y algo de solemnidad, el piano aparece y todo es grandioso. El concierto en si es una obra magnificente, esplendida, extensa tambien. El segundo movimiento suena genial, las cuerdas son esplendidas el solista sublime.
Finalizamos como es debido con todo, la orquesta a plenitud el solista mostrando todas sus virtudes, sencillamente genial.
Una grabación incomparable

this was the recording i listened to every night for months in my undergraduate music school junior year. truly a stunning performance of the height of piano concerto writing. i have to say whoever designed the covers for these reissues so many years back, what a mess. ugly all the way, and still used. what's packaged inside is trancendental music complete.

Rudolf Serkin has been the premier interpreter of this piece for years. I've been a fan of the classic Serkin-Ormandy recording since the '60s, and this version is a worthy successor, for the DVD purchaser.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hate to mention this, but this performance is rather mediocre. I favor his son, Peter Serkin's performance.