Paul Lewis Plays Brahms

Johannes Brahms is one of my musical heroes, not only because of the symphonies and concertos he composed, but also because who he was a good model as a human being.

And I have been an admirer of pianist Paul Lewis for many years. Now there is a new recording that combines the best of these two people:
Paul Lewis performs Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and Ballades Op. 10 With the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding conducting.

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Innovative for its time, Brahms’ Piano Concerto no.1, premiered in Hanover in 1859, took some time to become established in the repertoire. It is a work that redefined the norms of the genre: the traditional confrontation between virtuoso soloist and orchestra is bypassed in favor of a balanced treatment and a more ‘symphonic’ approach.

The Telegraph wrote recently:

“Lewis shows himself thoroughly prepared for the power, the emotional turmoil and the radical vision that Brahms unleashed in his First Concerto … Lewis too enjoys a productive partnership with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted with passion and intensity by Daniel Harding.”

Here are a few brief extracts from this excellent recording:

 

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