Daniel Barenboim.

Barenboim plays Brahms

Brahms:

  • Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

Recorded live at Stadthalle Erlangen, 1991

  • Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83

Recorded live at the Gasteig, Munich, 1991

Performed by Daniel Barenboim (piano), with the Münchner Philharmoniker, conducted by Sergiu Celibidache

Brahms’ two piano concertos are from opposite ends of his creative years… The first work shows us a huge  struggle, while the second is warmer andcalmer, but no less passionate, and shows Brahms at his consummate best.

Today Daniel Barenboim is internationally recognized and revered as an orchestral and operatic conductor, pianist, and a musical ambassador and also as a humanitarian. Working with Baremboim is the remarkable conductor Sergiu Celibidache.

“He was one of the greatest musicians I ever encountered”, says Barenboim.

Here is a video of the highly dramatic and wonderful performance of the Brahms D-Minor piano concerto Op. 15, with Mr. Barenboim as soloist. Notice that the tempo is slightly slower than it is performed these days, but I feel it makes the whole piece so much more dramatic:

http://youtu.be/e7uYE_RAYzc

And next,here is the piano concerto #2 in all of its glory:

Tags: Johannes Brahms, piano concertos, Barenboim Celibidache