Customer Reviews

Piano Concerto 2 / Intermezzos

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The Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat of Johannes Brahms stands out as one of the summits of writing for piano and orchestra, and Van Cliburn is youthful, masculine, and athletic in his interpretation of this concerto. Brahms poured out his heart into this concerto with a mixture of "Classical restraint" and "Romantic abandon." Although Cliburn's tempi are a little on the slow side, this fact allows him to be more precise in bringing out the details of one of the longest concerti of all time. The aging Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are effective compliments to this pianistic genius who was then in his late twenties. The five intermezzi that serve as filler are so much more than that in their plaintive beauty, stemming from the meticulous creativity of Brahms in his final years.

Don't be fooled by the critics. This is one of the most probing, mature renditions of this work ever recorded, and the competition is fierce. Only Pollini comes close and I have heard most of the great ones- Gilels and Richter come to mind in recordings from this period. The Brahms 2nd calls for more depth than almost any other concerto, and Van Cliburn delivered. There is poetry and elegance required in a performance of this work that only these artists gave in full measure. This is a glowing celebration of Brahms in a timeless artistic collaboration. Hear this one before you decide.