Johannes Brahms Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Maurizio Pollini - Brahms Piano Concerto No 2 (4 tracks) +Album Reviews

WOW!

Roger Townsend | Houston, TX USA | 12/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is unbelivably good. I have heard this concerto many times live, on record, on tape, on the radio, and on disc. I have never heard it performed this well. My favorite performance had been Pollini's with Abbado in the late 1970s (maybe early 1980s). This surpasses it in every way, which I would not have believed possible. Pollini's technique is perfect. His and Abbado's interpretation, nuances, shading and dynamics could not be better. The orchestra balances the piano just as Brahms always intended. And then there's the sound quality: as acoustically superb as I have ever heard on any disc. This is truly one of the all-time great classical recordings. Do not miss it."

Pollini - the greatest exponent of Brahms' music

Roger Townsend | 10/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of the Brahms B Flat major concerto is, to my knowledge, the greatest ever captured in the recording history. Pollini is in his usual aristocratic form. But this is only one aspect of his musicianship. His brilliant mastery of the intellectual complexity and emotional intensity of this formidable work are without equal, and all delivered technically flawlessly. Pollini recorded this piece twice with Abbado, the earlier 1977 version is with the Vienna Philharmonic. I find the 1995 live recording to be superior in having greater definition for the different moods and clearer phrasal articulation; and the cello solo projected the melodic line more fluidly and prominently, as it should be. Pollini's October 3rd, 2000 performance of the same piece with the Cleveland Orchestra at Carnegie Hall re-affirmed his exceptional musicianship and technique. Contrary to some, I find "coldness" does not exist in Pollini's piano vocabulary, and in my opinion, he is the greatest pianist of all times and this Brahms recording is a testimony to it. It deserves 6 stars."

Simply Majestic

just_porter | Phoenix, AZ | 05/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Maurizio Pollini shines in this majestic recording of the concerto. I consider this work to be one of Brahms finest and own many recordings of it. However, I have found that the sound and quality of this recording beats ALL of them. This recording is highly recommended to all music lovers. This recording should be one of the cornerstones of anybody's music collection."

A fine example of Pollini's sincere clarity and intellect

just_porter | 04/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pollini is one of the great enigmas of the keyboard, and it is easy to see why. Many music fans like his playing, but others find it hard to persevere under the aristocratic and rationalist methodology that governs his music making. Indeed, he is one of the most subtle and passionate pianists, although his intellectual appetite is perhaps too exposed in some recordings. However, this is not the case here, as Pollini and Abbado form a formidable rapport to create one of the greatest readings of Brahms 2. The first movement is played with great passion, his phrasing perfectly controlled and understated, his tone superbly hard-edged to create a forceful expressive drive, again displayed in the frustration and anger of the second movement. In the Andante, Pollini plays in a manner anything but cold, his sensitivity clealry evident, his connection with the piece and intellectual drive undeniable - also worthy of mention is the cellist, and orchestra in this movement, their interpretive cohesion with the soloist one of the main factors in the success of this reading. For the final allegro grazioso, Pollini plays with scintillating irony and awareness, the mood swings superbly captured. For those who bang on about Pollini's technique and nothing else, well I can only pity them, for they are missing out on one of the most interesting, moving and profound pianists. Even if one sees no sensitivity, his recordings are treasurable for their intellect alone. Similarly, for those who get kicks out of fast, exciting pianism, he will not disappoint with his indomitable technique (this recording is live, in fact). Coldness is a superficial description of Pollini, for his playing is far too intense and well-conceived to be attributed such presumptuous inanities. It is a pity that some fail to appreciate his countless idiosyncracies and believe that sparkling rubato and lovely soft tone are preferable - why not try accepting a different stand point, that 'coldness' might have a point to it...a fantastic achievement."

Not even a single misstep

Paul Bubny | Maplewood, NJ United States | 01/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to imagine a more perfect balance of soloist/conductor temperaments than Pollini and Abbado manage here. There's really nothing that goes even momentarily wrong in this live recording. Unfortunately, if you buy the companion CD of Pollini, Abbado and the BPO performing Brahms' **First** Piano Concerto, you'll find it's a real letdown compared to this."

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