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Brahms: Piano Concerto no 2 / Zimerman, Bernstein, VPO


Release Date: 10/01/1985 
Label:  Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog #: 415359   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Johannes Brahms
Performer:  Krystian Zimerman
Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Bernstein and Zimerman have established a masterly understanding of the work, and their artistic symbiosis is impressive.

The first movement of Brahm's B flat Piano Concerto is marked Allegro non troppo, but it is not untraditional to begin this work relatively slowly and then press onwards to establish full momentum at the first orchestral tutti. Bernstein's opening tempo is a leisurely Andante and the pace almost slows to Adagio before a burst of energy from the pianist signals that the performance is going to spring to life with the orchestral re-statement of the main theme... [O]ne realizes that Bernstein and Zimerman have established a masterly understanding of the work, and their artistic symbiosis is Read more impressive... [T]here are moments of genuine grandeur, and poetry too, as when the horns steal in seductively to announce the first movement's recapitulation. In the second movement Bernstein again pulls back at the tranquille e dolce and Zimerman is at one with him in his considered response... The andante is poetically intense, with the cello solo played con amore and a measured tempo justified by the rapt concentration. Towards the end where Brahms's marking is piu adagio, the piu is emphasized, but the sustained pianissimo has such strength of feeling that the listener surely must become involved. The finale's balance between bravura and lyricism is managed with considerable flair...

-- Ivan March, Gramophone [1/1986]
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Works on This Recording

1. Concerto for Piano no 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:  Krystian Zimerman (Piano)
Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1878-1881; Austria 
 Date of Recording: 10/1984 
Venue:  Live  Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna 

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