Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 In D Minor / Composer: Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss / Performer: Hélène Grimaud / Orchestra/Ensemble: Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra, Deutsches / Conductor: Kurt Sanderling, David Zinman "Written when Strauss was a mere 22, the Burleske cries out for youthful virtuosity, volatility, caprice and charm - which we're given here with effortless fluency by all concerned. In what could vaguely be described as lyrical 'second subject' territory (from the start of track 5, tranquillo) I particularly enjoyed those amazing pre-echoes of irresistibly seductive, smiling (con amore) things-to-come a quarter of a century later in Der Rosenkavalier. The Erato sound is clear-cut rather than lusciously cushioned, but never hard-edged: it falls agreeably on the ear. " 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. 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. Anyone looking for the Grimaud Strauss or the Brahms (or both) get this CD.
1) Brahms : Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15 : I Maestoso
2) Brahms : Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15 : II Adagio
3) Brahms : Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor Op.15 : III Allegro Non Troppo
4) Strauss Richard : Burleske in D minor : I Allegro Vivace
5) Strauss Richard : Burleske in D minor : II Tranquillo
6) Strauss Richard : Burleske in D minor : III a Tempo - Sostenuto
7) Strauss Richard : Burleske in D minor : IV Un Poco Animato - Quasi Cadenza