Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (orchestrated by A. Schoenberg) / Variations & Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 (orch. by E. Rubbra)

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Edmund Rubbra (Composer), Arnold Schoenberg (Composer), Neeme Järvi (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Neeme Järvi
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Edmund Rubbra, Arnold Schoenberg
• Audio CD (October 28, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000AKC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,973 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #72 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Fugues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine performance of orchestrated Brahms chamber gem., September 17, 2004

By 

Janos Gardonyi "jgarch2002" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (orchestrated by A. Schoenberg) / Variations & Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 (orch. by E. Rubbra) (Audio CD)

I suppose one great experience, musically at least, we came away with from the Athens Olympics of 2004 was the very impressive televised concert of the Berlin Philharmonic with Sir Simon Rattle conducting the orchestrated version of the Brahms Quartet. I am sure anyone hearing this piece at the first time fell in love with it instantly.
I love the piano Quartet in any shape or form. Regardless of the poo-poohing of the Penguin Guide, Schoenberg greatly expanded the scope of this work, made it more exciting and dynamic listening experience. Just listen to the Third Movement, that heroic theme, wonderful as it is in the chamber form, but what a transformation when played on the winds and brass! The "Zingarese" last movement has very modern orchestration, so to speak, (xylophone, Trombone glissandi, cymbal crashes) but brings the roof down as it did in Athens.
This new Chandos recording with the London Symphony is the best available of this piece and Jarvi is in great form, taking a commanding, though somewhat conservative, view of the work.
The Handel variations are orchestrated from a solo piano work where, I think, it should have remained. Rubbra's orchestration is good and scholarly, but adds nothing to the work, whereas the piano version is an absolutely stunning virtuoso piece. Nevertheless it is good to hear it orchestrated just for curiosity.
Recorded sound is up to Chandos usual standard. Highly recommended. Best available, so stop looking further.