Search - Johannes Brahms, Olga Kern :: Brahms: Variations, Opp. 21, 24 & 35

A tough program to sit through at one go, but extremely well

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had grouchy expectations from a CD devoted to nothing but variations, a terrible programming idea if ever there was one. But to my surprise, the young Olga Kern carries it off with style and panache. I had pigeon-holed her as a heavy-handed imitation of Argerich, but she's quite sensitive and thoughtful in her phrasing throughout.



Amazon grows more derelict by the day in offering information about classical CDs. Kern's all-Brahms program includes the Variations on a Theme by Paganini op.35 : Book 1 / Book 2. Variations & Fugue on a theme by Handel op.24. Variations on a Hungarian Song op.21.



The Var. on a Hungarian Song, rarely heard in concert, is wonderful, full of energy and high spirits. It shows off Kern's effortless virtuosity beautifully. The three better known works are much thornier, and I can't imagine anyone taking all of them in one sitting, either in concert or on CD. Wisely, Kern doesn't try to throw off more fireworks than Kissin or to extract profundity -- she is fast, incisive, alert, and direct. This is Brahms without velvet, and for me, that proved a winning approach. The recorded sound is impressively realistic as well.

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A strong pianist

John Gooch | 02/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Olga Kern plays piano with power and verve.



I have seen her twice in person: Swarthmore Music Center, Bethesda, MD and The Sunrise Theatre Southern Pines, NC On both occasions Ms Kern impressed me with her powerful, virtuosic command of the piano literature. The recording on Brahms Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Book I and Book II, further butress my feeling Ms. Kern is a major piano talent.



I purchased this disc from Amazon.com"