Brahms Antonin Kubalek - Piano Music of Brahms 1 (24 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Brahms, Antonin Kubalek
Piano Music of Brahms 1
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (24) - Disc #1
1. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5: Sonate: Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5: Andante: Andante espressivo
3. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5: Scherzo: Allegro energico
4. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5: Intermezzo: Andante molto
5. Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5: Finale: Allegro moderato ma rubato
6. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 1
7. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 2
8. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 3
9. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 4
10. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 5
11. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 6
12. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 7
13. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 8
14. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 9
15. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 10
16. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 11
17. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 12
18. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 13
19. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 14
20. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 15
21. Waltzes (16) for piano, 4 hands (or piano), Op. 39: Number 16
22. Intermezzi (3) for piano, Op. 117: 1. Andante moderato
23. Intermezzi (3) for piano, Op. 117: 2. Andante non troppo e con molta espressione
24. Intermezzi (3) for piano, Op. 117: 3. Andante con moto

CD Details

All Artists: Brahms, Antonin Kubalek
Title: Piano Music of Brahms 1
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Dorian Recordings
Release Date: 8/31/1993
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Sonatas, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Romantic (c.1820-1910)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 053479014122

CD Reviews

A mature interpretation of a youthful work

Robert L. Berkowitz | Natick, MA United States | 01/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this first volume of his two volume collection of Brahms' piano music, Antonin Kubalek offers a survey of the composer's music that ranges from an early work -- the Piano Sonata no. 3 -- to his late period -- the three Intermezzi op. 117. With a program like this, a pianist might be tempted to try to play in such a way as to highlight the differences between the early and later works in order to convey how the composer has grown and developed, but the effect in Kubalek's hands is rather the other way around.

The Piano Sonata no. 3 is arguably one of Brahms' greatest works and it is the primary work on this recording. It is a bold, youthful and daring work, but it also contains feelings that characterize most of Brahms' music -- longing, yearning, tenderness, poignancy as well as swagger and festive joy. Sometimes pianists can get carried away with the youthful optimism of the piece and can play with a restricted emotional range, focusing mostly on the boldness and daring of the young Brahms. Such recordings have only limited appeal. Kubalek takes a different approach. He offers us a performance of Brahms' early sonata informed by an understanding of Brahms born of his later works. You can hear it right from the opening of the first movement. Kubalek's opening salvo is bold but not brash. Or listen to the lilting rhythms in the Zigeunerweisen-like Scherzo movement, or the yearning rubato of the Finale movement -- they all convey the feeling of an older Brahms looking back nostalgically at the work of his youth. As a result, we are treated to a retrospective view of Brahms' early work that highlights what has made all his music so timeless. By the time we reach the end of the CD -- the beautifully played Op. 117 Intermezzi -- we realize that we have been here before, right from the beginning.

Kubalek's offering is among my favorite recordings of the Brahms Piano Sonata no. 3. Other favorite performances include those of Clifford Curzon and Radu Lupu. Additionally, Kubalek's second volume has some of the finest renditions of Brahms' late piano works. I recommend both this disc and its companion volume unreservedly."

Brahms - Numer One

R. Pohl | Brno, Czech Republic | 04/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perfect, balanced performance of Brahms piano music. Well done, Mr. Kubalek. Sonata No. 3 and Intermezzos op. 117 are the best, which I ever heard. Including Brahms's lovely Valses, this compilation is a treasure. I hope that Kubalek will record much more pieces like that..."

Haunting Brahms

R. Pohl | 01/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very strong experience... especially the Brahms 3rd sonata. I am going to participate on Kubalek's famous summer masterclasses in Czech republic this year. [...] Kubalek is one of today's world leading performers."