MEDIUM Vinyl Record
WEIGHT 2 x 180gr (black Vinyl) 45rpm
CONDITION sealed
COVER Gatefold
CONDITION COVER M mint
COVER DAMAGES No, we take care about that
SERIALNUMBER Yes, 792
LIMITED Yes, to 2500
MISCELLANEOUS Stereo, laminated
MUSICIAN HOMEPAGE --
Clifford Curzon - piano
London Symphony Orchestra
George Szell - conducting
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833 - 1897)
piano concerto no. 1 in d minor op. 15
maestoso - poco più moderato - 22:17
adagio - 16:04
rondo: allegro non troppo - più animato - tempo 1 - 11:57
Brahms originally intended his Piano Concerto No. 1 as a symphony and he extensively reworked his ideas before setting down the work in the form as we know it today
The composer’s original intentions still shimmer through however, for the work goes far beyond mere concertante playing and a display of virtuoso brilliance by the soloist
The first movement in particular, with its relentless, threatening main theme, embodies Brahms’s dramatic symphonic writing and even a conciliatory secondary theme offers no relief for it too must give way to the heavy, fateful initial theme
The passionate and grandiose opening movement is followed by an Adagio full of tranquillity and quiet devotion; the solemn atmosphere is taken to exalted heights by the soloist and orchestra only to fade out pianissimo
Although the forceful, belligerent Finale occasionally conjures up the dark powers of the first movement, the work ends in a confident and cheerful vein
It is amazing how the sheer presence of the emotions in this composition have been captured on the present DECCA recording from 1962
This is not only true of the gripping interpretation but also of the recording itself which remains transparent and brilliant throughout
RECORDING May - June 1962 at Kingsway Hall London
ENGINEERING Kenneth E. Wilkinson
LABEL London / Decca
RE MASTERING Bernie Grundman
RE RELEASED 2011
AVERAGE RATING 5 Stars out of 5
PRESSING by RTI
MADE IN USA
STYLE Classic / Romantic
AVAILABLE as long as inventory stock
