Search - Johannes Brahms, Andrew Litton, Dallas Symphony Orchestra :: Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2; Four Piano Pieces, Op. 119 [Hybrid SACD]

Good new Brahms 2

Alexander Leach | Shipley, West Yorkshire United Kingdom | 11/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
I actually like this performance a lot more than I thought I would, especially the last two movements which I don't think I've heard done better, from the dozen or so recordings I have. I like the fast tempo for the Andante (not an Adagio) and Hamelin plays very well here, impulsive yet rapt and improvisatory. The lighter touch for the finale also works very well, and this also has a capricious, improvisatory feel which suits the music ideally.



The first two movements are also good, but not quite at the same level. My benchmark has been Pollini's mid-70s recording for drive and sweep and Hamelin can't quite match Pollini for keyboard control (not that he may have been trying to).



The concerto generally sounds very fresh and although this might not replace your favourite recording (whichever of the many great ones that is) this does offer something new.



The sound in stereo via my Stax earspeaker system was very clear and detailed but with plenty of warmth - when I listened earlier via speakers I perhaps felt the piano was given a tad too much prominence, but I don't think that on revised listening. Recommended.

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