Among The Best Modern Brahms Piano Concerto Recordings
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This splendid two CD set contains two of the finest performances of Brahms's piano concerti ever recorded. I doubt I have heard a finer, more magical, performance of the 1st Piano Concerto from a soloist other than Kovacevich. His splendid performance is noted for its graceful lyricism and phrasing as well as keyboard pyrotechnics. His performance of the 2nd Piano Concerto is nearly as fine too. Wolfgang Sawallisch leads the London Philharmonic in two of the finest performances of the orchestral scores; they are splendid accompanists to Kovacevich's electrifying playing. Both CDs have excellent filler in the choral works which include Kovacevich as a thoughtful accompanist. The sound quality of both CDs is absolutely first rate."
Better than Gilels in my opinion
S. Heinen | Tulsa, OK United States | 09/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Heresy, I know, but true!
This is the best performance of Brahms' Piano Concerto #1 I have ever heard. Period. The rest of the recording is of similar quality and is highly recommended as well."