Search - Grimaud, Sanderling, Staatskapelle Berlin :: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1; Strauss: Burleske

Two classic Grimaud performances on one CD!

goodmusicman | USA | 01/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This import CD features Helene Grimaud's acclaimed live performance of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with conductor Kurt Sanderling, as well as her studio performance of the Strauss Burlesque with conductor David Zinman. Both performances feature excellent regional German orchestras. Information on the Brahms can be found on the page for the original release of this performance. (David Hurwitz labeled it an Amazon.com Essential Recording.) In fact, the only reason I didn't give the CD five stars was because as good as the Brahms recording is, it lacks that last ounce of unbridled excitement and tautness due to conductor Sanderling's slow tempos, which do not heighten the tension the first movement needs. (The second and third movements are more successful, with the exciting finale building to a rousing and satisfying conclusion.) Still, given her constraints in the first movement, Grimaud's playing is remarkable, and the performance all around gives the piece an epic granduer and tragic overtone which other performances lack. It is a very important perspective of this work, one which fans of this concerto as well as fans of Grimaud should not be without. For a more exciting rendition of the first movement, try the legendary Szell/Fleisher (with inferior sound) or the more recent highly-praised Freire/Chailly accound on Decca. The sound quality on the Grimaud is good, but sometimes lacking in clarity and focus. This import release is also lacking both the audience applause that the original release featured and the interview with the pianist that the booklet notes of the original release contained.



The Strauss is a more unabashed success (despite the contrary statement in the Amazon.com editorial review of the original release of the recording on Erato)--virtuosic, exciting, playful, and with wonderful accoustics (it was recorded in a church). It is simply played to perfection by both pianist and orchestra. This is easily my first choice for a recording of this work.



I would strongly recommend that those looking for the Grimaud Strauss or the Brahms (or both) get this CD, since the original release of the Brahms contained no other music on the CD, while the Strauss came with Grimaud's excellent Schumann concerto, which has since been surpassed by her recent recording of the Schumann with the Dresden Staatskapelle on DG. Anyone looking for a Schumann concerto recording for the ages should get that more recent one. Thus, this CD enables the listener to get the excellent Strauss and the classic Brahms on one CD that happens to be cheaper than either of the CDs on which these two recordings were originally released. Highly recommended."