Brahms himself played the solo part at the world premiere of his Piano Concerto No. 2 in Budapest’s Redoutensaal on 9 November 1881. The work opens with a beautiful horn call which is like a magical summons to the other instruments. The Scherzo is of symphonic proportions and richness. The nocturne-like mood of the slow movement is based on the song of a solo cello, a simple eight-measure phrase. The finale has a bright, skipping figure for the piano as the principal rondo refrain. Maurizio Pollini was born in Milan to a family of artists in 1942. In 1960 he won the first prize at the Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Since then, he has been a leading protagonist at all major concert venues in Europe, as well as in America and Japan.
Brahms, Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor, op.15
Brahms, Intermezzo in B flat minor, op.117
One of this century’s great pianists, Artur Rubinstein (1887-1982) began playing the piano at the age of three and concertized tirelessly until nearly ninety. He made his official debut in Berlin in 1900 playing, among other works, Saint-Saëns’ G minor Concerto Op. 22, which remained a vehicle for Rubinstein’s virtuosity throughout his career. He was often heard in concertos by Brahms and Beethoven. Indeed, Brahms was the composer who initially aroused the pianist’s strongest and deepest artistic instincts. This place was later taken by Chopin. In his later years, Rubinstein was noted for his Chopin interpretations, which were marked by impeccable style, warm lyricism and passionate eloquence. The Brahms piano pieces were recorded in August 1973 at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
Brahms, Capriccio No.2 in B minor, op.76
One of this century’s great pianists, Artur Rubinstein (1887-1982) began playing the piano at the age of three and concertized tirelessly until nearly ninety. He made his official debut in Berlin in 1900 playing, among other works, Saint-Saëns’ G minor Concerto Op. 22, which remained a vehicle for Rubinstein’s virtuosity throughout his career. He was often heard in concertos by Brahms and Beethoven. Indeed, Brahms was the composer who initially aroused the pianist’s strongest and deepest artistic instincts. This place was later taken by Chopin. In his later years, Rubinstein was noted for his Chopin interpretations, which were marked by impeccable style, warm lyricism and passionate eloquence. The Brahms piano pieces were recorded in August 1973 at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
Brahms, Symphony No.3 in F major, op.90
This concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was recorded at the Large Concert Hall in Jerusalem in 1973.
Brahms, Variations on a theme by Haydn, op.56
Brahms, Six Songs
In April 1972, the mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein, gave a recital with lieder by Johannes Brahms in Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal. They performed the same program in New York’s Town Hall, and, while on a concert tour of Israel, recorded it for television at the Tel Aviv Museum in May 1972. Christa Ludwig, a highly expressive and intelligent artist, has been hailed as the best Mozart and Strauss mezzo of her generation. In addition, she has always shown a great predilection for the lied, and is known for her soulful interpretations of lieder by Brahms, Mahler and Schubert.
Brahms, Gipsy-Songs, op.103
In April 1972, the mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein, gave a recital with lieder by Johannes Brahms in Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal. They performed the same program in New York’s Town Hall, and, while on a concert tour of Israel, recorded it for television at the Tel Aviv Museum in May 1972. Christa Ludwig, a highly expressive and intelligent artist, has been hailed as the best Mozart and Strauss mezzo of her generation. In addition, she has always shown a great predilection for the lied, and is known for her soulful interpretations of lieder by Brahms, Mahler and Schubert.
Brahms, Two Songs with Viola, op.91
In April 1972, the mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein, gave a recital with lieder by Johannes Brahms in Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal. They performed the same program in New York’s Town Hall, and, while on a concert tour of Israel, recorded it for television at the Tel Aviv Museum in May 1972. Christa Ludwig, a highly expressive and zzo intelligent artist, has been hailed as the best Mozart and Strauss mezzo of her generation. In addition, she has always shown a great predilection for the lied, and is known for her soulful interpretations of lieder by Brahms, Mahler and Schubert.
Brahms, Four Songs
In April 1972, the mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein, gave a recital with lieder by Johannes Brahms in Vienna’s Musikvereinssaal. They performed the same program in New York’s Town Hall, and, while on a concert tour of Israel, recorded it for television at the Tel Aviv Museum in May 1972. Christa Ludwig, a highly expressive and intelligent artist, has been hailed as the best Mozart and Strauss mezzo of her generation. In addition, she has always shown a great predilection for the lied, and is known for her soulful interpretations of lieder by Brahms, Mahler and Schubert.