Search - Alexis Weissenberg, Johannes Brahms, Cesar Franck :: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Franck: Symphonic Variations; Weissenberg; Muti; Philadelphia Orchestra

Superb performances

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 01/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alexis Weissenberg -- although not as famous as some "star" pianists -- was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, and probably was THE greatest 20th century pianist in music of the Romantic era. His technical virtuosity was unsurpassed but he chose to use it solely for artistic purposes and not for virtuosic display, unlike many more famous (but less artistic) pianists. Every performance by Weissenberg is a work of art and, quite simply, definitive. This is true of the performances on this budget CD. If you love these works, please buy this CD to hear them in all of their glory. If you are not familiar with Weissenberg's work here is your chance to discover this great artist playing great music at a bargain price."

Glistening tone,agaile fingerwork.Unfussy and modern approac

Peter Heddon | 05/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Weissenberg brings a baroque like clarity to the concerto,particularly enjoyable in the last movement with the left hand accompaniment more prominent than usuall.I admire Weissenberg's glistening tone and agile fingerwork though overall i think he's shown to better advantage in this kind of repertoire in Brahms's 2nd Concerto (with Peter Maag/art archives label from amazon.co.uk)where the results are less static.

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SO THIS IS THE APPEAL OF THE FRANCK

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 10/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Down through the years, I've heard many performances of Cesar Franck Symphonic Variations, for piano & orchestra. To be brutally honest, I've really never understood the work's appeal. After listening to Alexis Weissenberg and Herbert von Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on this recording I NOW can see its appeal. Alexis plays the variations splendidly and Herbert von Karajan is right there with him giving a very dramatic account of the work. I very much enjoyed this recording of dear Frank's Variations. It certainly made me reevaluate the work. Of course, that work isn't all there is on this recording--there is the 1st concerto of Brahms with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra which is splendid



I still completely adore this performance of the Brahms' first piano concerto as I did when I reviewed it, (February 26, 2007) on the EMI compilation entitled Les Introuvables de Alexis Weissenberg. It truly is an inspired recording.



EMI once again has done a wonderful job in its transfer to the CD format; the recorded sound is so rich and full and so very appealing especially at the unbelievable price of $6.98.

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