Search - Johannes Brahms, Yevgeny Svetlanov, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Piano Concerto 1 / Six Piano Pieces

A Very Moving Performance of Brahms Piano Concerto No.1!

Vera Kolb | Kenosha, WI | 09/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As soon as the record starts, with the orchestral part of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, your jaw will drop and you will get goose bumps. What an orchestra! What a conductor!

This is beyond belief. Maestro Svetlanov leads a superb orchestra in an unforgettable passionate performance. He does not cut off the sound, but allows it to evolve and live its own life. The lush, full sound emerges from the orchestra, in which each individual instrument is like a great soloist. You can listen to each instrument and enjoy it, and repeat the listening with the focus on another instrument. The magnificent orchestral part of the first movement finally includes the piano, but I was totally enamored with the orchestra. Peter Donohoe is a fine pianist, who plays in a matching warm and expressive fashion. In the second part of the recording, he performs beautifully Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118.

I highly recommend this recording, especially because Maestro Svetlanov (1928-2002) is not with us any more. I have heard this Brahms concerto many times, but in this case the orchestra steals the show. It is like every member of the orchestra is madly in love with Maestro Svetlanov, and each and every of them is surpassing themselves to please the Maestro. Maestro, on the other hand, is a pure genius. This recording captures the life and the heartbeat of this particular orchestra/conductor/pianist match. Do not miss it!

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