Search - Johannes Brahms, Christian Kohn, Silke-Thora Matthies :: Brahms: Four Hand Piano Music, Vol.2

Music by Brahms that everyone will like

11/02/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps not since Walter and Beatriz Klien recorded these Hungarian Dances some 30 years ago (Turnabout TV34068S) has such a fine new recording of the four-hand piano version of these magnificent dances been issued. And, to my ear, it is just this four-hand version of these ambitious dances that provides what is required--more power than the solo version, with no sacrifice of authenticity and nuance as frequently happens in their orchestral renderings. Here you can distinguish and appreciate those "wrong notes" in the sixth dance which are usually lost when the work is performed by full orchestra. These German pianists play with a remarkable combination of accuracy and spontaneity; one senses they love the music and want to do everything possible to bring it unscathed to the listener. And the technical clarity and presence of the recording will delight you. This disc also includes Brahms' 18 Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52a. Although I personally am partial to the vocal version of this music, Matthies and Koehn here again do a first-rate job in bringing out the romantic, and even dreamlike, qualities of these unusual and captivating melodies. You will not quickly tire of this recording."

Brahms with four hands.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 12/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seventy-six minutes of Brahms' most popular music is found on this enjoyable CD. Matthies and Köhn seem to have been engaged in recording all Brahms' fourhanded piano music for Naxos. And it is amazing how much of it there is! So acute is their insight into each of the Hungarian Dances that you'll not wish to be hearing them in their orchestral versions instead. The Liebeslieder Waltzes are affectionately played, but the original version, with a quartet of singers, is to be preferred."