Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Radu Lupu (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Radu Lupu
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000041SC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,818 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119 ASIN: B0000041SC Binding: Audio CD UPC: 028941759924

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any music lover., February 8, 2005

By 

Samuel (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119 (Audio CD)

Lupu's playing instantly strikes you as unassuming and purely musical. There is no virtuosity for its own sake, rather one detects a profound sensitivity (heard in the pianists incredible pianissimo and phrasing) and respect for the music.
So many of the Brahms Intermezzi, especially from Opus. 117, require voicing (bringing out one note in a chord above the others), and Lupu is nothing short of amazing in the way he brings out melodies and gives the music a deserving sense of depth and texture.
I highly recomend this cd. Overall, Lupu's playing does full justice to Brahms' complex music. It is nuanced, sensitive, and extremely profound. I confess I have a bias towards people like Lupu. While I like the showy pianists as well, they are often ill suited to play composers like Brahms. But Lupu seems perfectly at home with him and all the unique difficulties his music contains.
A little imperfection in sound quality is nothing compared to the quality of the music you will get on this cd.
Some have called Lupu a poet, or even an holy man of the piano, and I must agree with them. If you hear this cd, you probably will too. This cd is a must if you love music.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful CD, January 4, 2001

By 

"donkeybanana" (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119 (Audio CD)

I have always been a great Lupu fan, and so its not suprising that I completely adore this recording. The recording quality is not the best, however its very passable, and the playing is simply magical. There are small inaccuracies in the playing here and there, however in terms of depth of line and artisitic vision, the playing of these fantasias etc. is unsurpassed. The sheer depth and variety of tone are unbelievable, and to my mind, no other recording can come close to matching this one. Sensitive but never indulgent, this recording is a must for any Brahms lover!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Performance sings, sound varies, September 6, 2002

By 

Todd R. Peckarsky "tpeck55" (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Brahms: Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; Piano Pieces, Opp. 117-119 (Audio CD)

Just to clarify on the issue of sound quality discussed by previous reviewers: the performances on this disk were recorded made in two separate sessions. Recorded in the first session (1970) were the op.79 no.1 Rhapsody and the three op.117 Intermezzi. These four works constitute 27 minutes of the total 71 minute playing time of this disk. While the sound on these four tracks is rather poor, that of the remaining performances on the disk (recorded at a separate 1976 session) is quite passable, certainly better than on the 1970 tracks.

Lupu's performance is singing with beautiful legato, and makes you want to listen and concentrate. Eventually you can get past the poor sound of four of the tracks. I really enjoy the performance of the op.79 no.1 Rhapsody, despite the deficient sound.

One further note re. sonics on Mr. Lupu's recordings. The sound on his 1982 recording of the Schubert Impromptus is similarly not great but passable, just like that on the majority of this disk.