Notes and Editorial Reviews
The terms "classic" and "definitive", so overused that they are in danger of losing their meaning, absolutely apply to these recordings. The Fleisher/Szell Brahms Piano Concertos, recorded in 1958 and 1962, had not been available since their 1980s incarnation as Odyssey LPs. Now, in amazingly solid, vibrant remastered sound Sony has resurrected these mighty performances, which along with Fleisher's Beethoven concerto recordings, are vital documents of this pianist's early prowess--stunning technique, penetrating musicianship, and well-channeled passion. Szell's fiery, tempestuous reading of the Piano Concerto No. 1's orchestral score (with a riled up Cleveland Orchestra) has never been surpassed, let
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alone equaled, not even by Szell himself in his subsequent recordings. Fleisher and Szell present the Second Concerto in a grandly classical manner, relating it to Beethoven's Emperor and avoiding the massiveness and bulk of some more recent interpretations. Here the pianist tellingly combines wit and intelligence with a powerful sense of urgency. The same goes for the appended Waltzes and Handel Variations from 1956, which Fleisher plays with such brilliance that we can't wait for the next passage. Sony has jettisoned the original cardboard packaging for the more sturdy jewel box, hence this new review. Whether paper or plastic, get these great performances while you still can. [11/7/2000]--Victor Carr, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Concerto for Piano no 1 in D minor, Op. 15 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Leon Fleisher (Piano)
Conductor:
George Szell
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cleveland Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1854-1858; Germany
Date of Recording: 02/1958
Venue: Cleveland, Ohio
Length: 46 Minutes 48 Secs.
2.
Variations and Fugue for Piano in B flat major on a theme by Handel, Op. 24 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Leon Fleisher (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1861; Germany
Date of Recording: 1956
Venue: Columbia 30th Street Studios, NYC
Length: 25 Minutes 10 Secs.
Notes: This selection is a monaural recording.
3.
Concerto for Piano no 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Jules Eskin (Cello),
Leon Fleisher (Piano)
Conductor:
George Szell
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cleveland Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1878-1881; Austria
Date of Recording: 10/1962
Venue: Cleveland, Ohio
Length: 47 Minutes 26 Secs.
4.
Waltzes (16) for Piano 4 hands, Op. 39 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Leon Fleisher (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1865; Austria
Date of Recording: 08/1956
Venue: Columbia 30th Street Studios, NYC
Length: 18 Minutes 12 Secs.
Notes: This selection is a monaural recording.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
An incredibly powerful performance July 14, 2012
By C. Shollenberger (Camp Hill, PA) See All My Reviews
"The powerful combination of Leon Fleisher and George Szell with the Cleveland Orchestra really brings out the life in Brahm's piano concertos. The second piano concerto demands attention with its surprising phrases."
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