Brahms: Works for Solo Piano [Box set]

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Julius Katchen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Julius Katchen
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (November 11, 1997)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000042GM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,881 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #3 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Ballads
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Fantasies
  • #15 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > By Period > Romantic (c.1820-1910)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

164 of 171 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRAHMS PIANO MUSIC OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, June 12, 2001

By 

Melvyn M. Sobel "Melvyn M. Sobel" (Freeport, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

For me, Katchen has always been the consummate Brahmsian; I owned the original vinyls housed in a nifty London slipcase set, all the records in their own jackets. So, when Decca decided to re-issue the Brahms on CD (in their two jewel boxes), I was more than thrilled. I've been "living" with Katchen's Brahms interpretations for over thirty years--- and have never tired of them.

The fact is: For the most part, the totality of Katchen's vision is unparalled; he has no rival. Even the Naxos "complete" edition of Brahms (with Biret) offers no real competition. Other pianists may offer a tad more depth here or there in one piece or another, but no pianist has played Brahms.... as I believe Brahms would have performed his own piano music. And this is no small compliment to Katchen.

Katchen has captured the essence of Brahms, perhaps his musical soul--- if you allow me a metaphysical moment. Not many pianists are capable of bringing to music the illusion that the composer, himself, might actually be sitting there at the keyboard. Only a meager handful of artists might come to mind.

I was listening to Sonata No. 1 in C, Op. 1 this morning and was amazed at just how fresh and incredibly real his performance is. In such an early work, Brahms has already made his mark, and in Katchen's hands it springs to miraculous life. The first movement Allegro is rugged, insightful, foreshadowing the Op. 5 to come; the second movement Andante is lyrically brooding (with more than a nod to Beethoven) with a wistful quality that goes right to the heart; the impishly demonic Scherzo is daringly original, followed by a breathtaking and propulsive Finale whose glowing trio section disarms in the most unexpected way.

And THAT was only Sonata No. 1 in C!!! Sonata No. 2, Op. 2, normally viewed as a lesser accomplishment, in Katchen's hands is a wonder. And Sonata No. 3, Op. 5, the rarest of Brahms' gems? It is a performance that you will return to over and over again for its power, passion and tenderness.

The eight pieces that form Op. 76 run the gamut from lyrical to quirky to introverted to brusque and, for me, the best set I've ever heard. The two Rhapsodies, Op. 79, are excursions into a sound-world that seems phantasmagorical, other-worldly, wonderous.

The late Brahms works, however, Opp. 116-119, are pieces that explore every nuance of what it means to be human, every emotion, every question. And then some. Katchen plays these as if he had written them himself; as if Brahms were looking over his shoulder. [My only quibble with this set, as with the jewel box edition, is that the Opp. 116-119 are NOT coupled together on one CD--- which they could have easily been, running only 74:11 minutes. To break them apart onto three separate CDs seems aesthetically absurd.]

Katchen, as well, gives the Handel Variations, Op. 24 a run for their money. Hair-raising, gentle, virile. As he does the Paganini Variations, Op. 35. And the Scherzo, Op. 4? Well, just listen to what he does with this!

There can be no better way to immerse yourself in the piano music of Brahms, with no better interpreter of the "complete" solo works. Katchen is the rarest of talents. Oh, sure, his Brahms may have some rough edges; but, then, so did Brahms. And I think the "match" is perfect. For me, there can be no better, and I've heard an earful of Brahms.

The London "sound" has come through miraculously well and much improved on the original vinyls. It is full, rich, quite present and mercifully without an intrusive amount of ambience. A flesh and blood piano.... played by an artist completely "one" with the composer.

[Running time--- CD 1: 67:12 CD 2: 68:21 CD 3: 67:30 CD 4: 61:24 CD 5: 61:31 CD 6: 61:49]

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vehemently recommended., February 20, 2001

By 

John Austin "[e-mail]" (Kangaroo Ground, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brahms: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

This box will have the width of a finger on your shelf, but will provide you with endless hours of boundless enjoyment. Julius Katchen not only showed that he was a master of the Brahms piano repertoire in the 1960s, but London also awarded him amazingly realistic and faithful piano recording. The transfers to 6 CDs have been totally successful, amongst the very best in London's "Collectors' Edition" series.

If you have a chance to sample what's here, try the early Scherzo in Eb, Op 4, a wonderfully robust, powerful work, and the late Op 117 Intermezzi - reflective, reposeful works. You'll also find some of the brilliant sets of variations - masterpieces that are fiendishly difficult to play - and the complete sets of waltzes and Hungarian dances.

Vehemently recommended.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Collection of Brahms, February 6, 2000

By 

William M Choat (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

I have long enjoyed Rubenstein's recordings of the works of Brahms, and those recordings, albeit rather dated, are splendid. However, several years ago I found this collection of the complete Brahms piano pieces by Julius Katchen, and I was completely taken. There is a level of consistency with one performer, and Katchen's accuracy and stunning technique makes this a collection which will add to anyone's collection of recordings.

In addition, the packaging (with individual envelopes for each cd, and each with its own discography) is very convenient. The box of 6 CD's replaces the originally released set of two jewel cases, a very good replacement I believe.

I highly recommend this CD set.