I've loved these all of my life so it's a deep joy to hear them played beautifully by a great musician. At 81, I play like a gifted 5-year-old, but I'm content.
I just read this in the program notes of the Cleveland Orchestra, that Clara Schumann who descibed Brahms's playing in his later years as "crash, bang, scrabble", so it even happened to Brahms playing Brahms. Op 118 nrs 1 and 2 are touchstones for me, within reach to get the notes and at arms length to master. Keep playing, I want to be like you when I'm 81 which is not all that far off, dear Marly.
queenoftheuniverse Ah, la Reine. I do believe that one of the "secrets" to a joyous old age is a passion for something. For me it's music. Today I sang and played Qui la voce (top notes still intact, middle not that great) and several months ago I returned to drawing. Just a pencil, eraser, piece of sketch paper, and I am blissfully happy. Botox and plastic surgery won't do it.
An accomplished Musician such as Perahia plays only well-tuned+voiced instruments...and only the crème de la crème: pre-1960s Steinways & Bosendorfers.....
Well said ,Peter! Most probably a Steinway, but the tuner seemingly never gets a mention. Brahms requires such a range of force, gentleness, depth and , well, Brahms, and with this pianist all the elements are brought together to produce such a compound. Doncha just love the compassion mixed in with the majesty..
@@sidneyorr8494 it's an unkillable myth that modern steinways are somehow anyhow inferior to those of the past; this sounds to my ear almost certainly not a bosendorfer, and could be a superior steinway from any period, it is indeed ravishing even on youtube
Radiant performance by one of the truly great pianists. That last Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor is shattering in its introspection and utter feeling of desolation and longing at the same time. A masterpiece. The whole set is one of Brahms's greatest piano works.
No. 2 is that rarest of phenomenon: a work where not a single pitch, duration, or registral placement could possibly imagined as being changed. In short, every single detail is perfection.... AND there is not a single extraneous note. Every single note is needed, and nothing that is NOT needed. Even for Brahms, the meticulous craftsman... this piece is a high-water mark.
What a glorious thing, to have lived with this music for many decades, and to still be moved...life is good...In no particular order, it seems that Lupu, Perahia, & Gould are the reigning masters in these milieux, all providing many sublime moments, even with their presumed weaknesses, that our local pundits below are anxious to share!!
I worked on the Romance (No. 5) when in high school. I found it exceedingly difficult to play because of the voicing, especially the middle voice. The middle section itself requires sprite-like touch in the right hand. Absolutely brilliant composition and a joy to listen to when performed by someone who has the technical ability that I could never attain. Without the technical ability, the expression simply can't realize its full potential.
I've never appreciated Brahms until very recently. I took a class on Russian Harmonic Modulation in the fall of 2017 and my professor played a piece by Brahms. I really underappreciated the harmonic complexity of Brahms.
Most non pianists would have trouble understanding Brahms, he’s all harmony and themes, but once you do, it’s a much deeper and sophisticated musical taste you’ll acquire.
perahia joue merveilleusement je le trouve bien au dessus de radu lupu , alter ego selon certains critiques ,, murray est un grand brahmsien , et cette espèce est bien trop rare pour ne pas le souligner ,,brahms me fait rêver tant il me rappelle mes amours de jeunesse adolescent adulte romantique nostalgique , le visage évanescent de ces femmes rieuses belles , insouciantes , leurs grands yeux clairs scintillent dessus la mer du nord ou brahms errait dans son enfance , rêveur enivré par les mille égéries qu'il croisait sur le port de hambourg ,, la ballade de perahia est juste fabuleuse , merci
My teacher introduced me to No. 5 as a piece with examples of modal harmony... I had never heard it before, and now I love it! This is a beautiful recording. I like Helene Grimaud's also.
Yeah, they do seem to go together, don't they? For a while, listening to Lisitsa's performance of these, I didn't even realise they were two different intermezzi.
you cannot get better than the opus 118 !!!!! My love for the #2 A major as given way to the Romance #5 in F but all of the pieces in opera 116, 117, 118 and 119 are sublime........
The richness of the playing, masterly interpretation and superb piano transport the listener back to the 19th century drawing room. Opus 118 is beyond a doubt one of the greatest sets for piano and loved by both audience and performer. It is the apotheosis of a lifetime of creating beautiful music. It's more surprising because Brahms was not principally a pianist and his writing is "odd". Perahia is from the old school that emphasized artistry, control and interpretation as much as technique. Many of the new players are incredible technicians but their speed (usually faster and louder than marked) is better. They lack the artistry that can only come with age and experience I try to play this Opus at last once a week and the F Minor more frequently but can't help but feel theE-flat Minor is his recognition of his impending mortality I only wish Perahia had not suffered hand problems throughout his life.
Ok, but ther's nothing "odd" about Brahms compositions...and its a bit of an exaggeration to categorize "new players" as "faster and louder". Some are. We all know who.... Its also in the realm of common sense that loudness/speed are usually at the expense of artistry. Most musicians would die for Perahia's presumed-disabled-technique!
I'm curious what you mean by "acquired taste". To my ears this music is very consonant, colorful, emotional, dynamic and at times very emotionally evocative. Seems quite accessible to me.
This is the first time I have heard the Op188 No. 2 Intermezzo played at clearly the sort of speed Brahms intended and it is played with a great deal of subtlety and feeling. I can't help feeling that the performance could have been better still if Perahia could have put a little more emotion/passion into parts of the piece. You know that after hearing Brahms' "any donkey can see that" type of remarks when something is marked as accented Brahms really meant it! However, I quibble. This is so much better than the laboured indulgent performances you hear from a good many of the top pianists.
Yes, de gustibus for sure.. And I actually like and respect Murray Perahia very much. I was following his brilliant and mind opening masterclass, which he gave in Sibelius Academy, Helsinki; he was very humble and symphatetic person. In this recording my problem, most of all ,lies in the the Intermezzo no.2 A major; there is some beautifully delicate, Polyphonic ideas, which i think only Glenn Gould has played in the way i think they should be played..
Contrapunctus I've just heard the Intermezzo No.2 played by Gould on UA-cam and felt he deeply analyzed this piece. But I cannot determine which performance is more perfect. Only Brahms himself could do it.
its taken decades for the last two to have any meaning for me they seem unlike brahms or was he coming into a new style.i have to read about his later style.
beg to disagree , while these - Perahia's - are excellent & wonderful renditions of Brahms' works , the 'quirkiness' of Gould makes me listen more acutely and as a result more aware of - if not all - but usually more and normally rather hidden ( for me , as 'non-musician' .. ) components of the music he presents .
This is very enjoyable, a bit too pretty (lyric..) and, but Radu Lupu is the only one who respects the "romance" spirit of the romance, as it's somewhat dreamy. Perahia plays it simply too pretty.
"Insipid" is far too harsh, he's an outstanding artist of course, but he does tend toward the safe middle ground in his interpretations. And yes, I've heard plenty of his recordings.
Maestro Perahia, Lei è un grande ❤❤❤Giuseppe Perego Monza 16.2.1962
I've loved these all of my life so it's a deep joy to hear them played beautifully by a great musician. At 81, I play like a gifted 5-year-old, but I'm content.
But...as a *SUPERBLY* gifted 5-year old! *Congratulations* for staying with it!!
Your comment made me so happy, it reminded me of the joy that music can bring people who just play it for the love of music itself. Thank you so much.
Perhaps you have cracked the secret Marly? If you Feel at 81 like a gifted 5 year old. :-)
I just read this in the program notes of the Cleveland Orchestra, that Clara Schumann who descibed Brahms's playing in his later years as "crash, bang, scrabble", so it even happened to Brahms playing Brahms. Op 118 nrs 1 and 2 are touchstones for me, within reach to get the notes and at arms length to master. Keep playing, I want to be like you when I'm 81 which is not all that far off, dear Marly.
queenoftheuniverse
Ah, la Reine. I do believe that one of the "secrets" to a joyous old age is a passion for something. For me it's music. Today I sang and played Qui la voce (top notes still intact, middle not that great) and several months ago I returned to drawing. Just a pencil, eraser, piece of sketch paper, and I am blissfully happy. Botox and plastic surgery won't do it.
I admire too much Perahia and loved him playing this Brahms pieces❤❤❤
Brahms and Perahia are the stars here but has anybody noticed the sound of the piano? Hats off to the maker and tuner!!!
Its heads of to the person recording and mixing you mean. Its all in the mix a microphone placement.
An accomplished Musician such as Perahia plays only well-tuned+voiced instruments...and only the crème de la crème: pre-1960s Steinways & Bosendorfers.....
Well said ,Peter! Most probably a Steinway, but the tuner seemingly never gets a mention. Brahms requires such a range of force, gentleness, depth and , well, Brahms, and with this pianist all the elements are brought together to produce such a compound. Doncha just love the compassion mixed in with the majesty..
@@sidneyorr8494 it's an unkillable myth that modern steinways are somehow anyhow inferior to those of the past; this sounds to my ear almost certainly not a bosendorfer, and could be a superior steinway from any period, it is indeed ravishing even on youtube
@@davidmoran5431 It is definitely not a Bösendorfer. More than likely, a it is New York Steinway.
Absolutely glorious. Perahia only knows how to play one way - beautifully!
Radiant performance by one of the truly great pianists. That last Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor is shattering in its introspection and utter feeling of desolation and longing at the same time. A masterpiece. The whole set is one of Brahms's greatest piano works.
Agree on all counts. That E-flat minor Intermezzo is one of the gloomiest, most despairing pieces in the entire piano literature.
these pieces are really the summit .Brahms has a nostalgic quality that is diff to describe .no.2 may be the most beautiful short piece ever written.
No. 2 is that rarest of phenomenon: a work where not a single pitch, duration, or registral placement could possibly imagined as being changed. In short, every single detail is perfection.... AND there is not a single extraneous note. Every single note is needed, and nothing that is NOT needed. Even for Brahms, the meticulous craftsman... this piece is a high-water mark.
What a glorious thing, to have lived with this music for many decades, and to still be moved...life is good...In no particular order, it seems that Lupu, Perahia, & Gould are the reigning masters in these milieux, all providing many sublime moments, even with their presumed weaknesses, that our local pundits below are anxious to share!!
Totally impressed by Perahia's awesome recital in New York. I am so touched. May 8th, 2016.
I worked on the Romance (No. 5) when in high school. I found it exceedingly difficult to play because of the voicing, especially the middle voice. The middle section itself requires sprite-like touch in the right hand. Absolutely brilliant composition and a joy to listen to when performed by someone who has the technical ability that I could never attain. Without the technical ability, the expression simply can't realize its full potential.
118 no. 2 is one of the best pieces of music ever written, and Perahia plays it as well as anyone in the world. Achingly beautiful.
really quite a lot 'better' than most wellknown professional pianists
My teachers interpretation is better
Wonderful performance. The tempo is perfect. Perahia understands Brahms.
So beautiful, so wonderful! ❤
What a magnificent pianist Murray Perahia is!❤❤❤🎉 Giuseppe
Again, this is as good as it gets. Perahia doesn't want it any other way; he never has, from the times at Leeds, and even before.
I've never appreciated Brahms until very recently. I took a class on Russian Harmonic Modulation in the fall of 2017 and my professor played a piece by Brahms. I really underappreciated the harmonic complexity of Brahms.
Most non pianists would have trouble understanding Brahms, he’s all harmony and themes, but once you do, it’s a much deeper and sophisticated musical taste you’ll acquire.
perahia joue merveilleusement je le trouve bien au dessus de radu lupu , alter ego selon certains critiques ,, murray est un grand brahmsien , et cette espèce est bien trop rare pour ne pas le souligner ,,brahms me fait rêver tant il me rappelle mes amours de jeunesse adolescent adulte romantique nostalgique , le visage évanescent de ces femmes rieuses belles , insouciantes , leurs grands yeux clairs scintillent dessus la mer du nord ou brahms errait dans son enfance , rêveur enivré par les mille égéries qu'il croisait sur le port de hambourg ,, la ballade de perahia est juste fabuleuse , merci
My teacher introduced me to No. 5 as a piece with examples of modal harmony... I had never heard it before, and now I love it! This is a beautiful recording. I like Helene Grimaud's also.
Cosa è l'ultimo Brahms!!!❤Giuseppe Perego Monza 16.2.1962
his tempi give to the music full of life
I suppose it's a personal thing, the music is deeply personal, but the way these are played has me in tears
Holy mackerel that last intermezzo is exciting.
I love listening to 1 and 2 back to back
Yeah, they do seem to go together, don't they? For a while, listening to Lisitsa's performance of these, I didn't even realise they were two different intermezzi.
A wonderful recital given at la Maison symphonique in Montreal, yesterday night, May the 5th❤️
Just missed it :(
Silenzio meditativo ❤Giuseppe
一つ一つの作品にはっきりとし表情がついていて、すごいと思いました。お勉強させて頂きました。尊敬します！
What can one say? He gets it EXACTLY right.
I love this piece and his playing♥
you cannot get better than the opus 118 !!!!! My love for the #2 A major as given way to the Romance #5 in F but all of the pieces in opera 116, 117, 118 and 119 are sublime........
TJFNYC212 Me too! Close call between #5 and #2, both are just rich with emotion at all levels. Some of the best things ever written for piano.
1, 3, 4, and 6 are my favorites. 4 and 6 being my very favorite, it would be hard to pick between them. 5 is just uncharacteristic of Brahms.
How is it possible that number 2 is not among your favourites! xD One of the best moments in music history, in my opinion.
The richness of the playing, masterly interpretation and superb piano transport the listener back to the 19th century drawing room. Opus 118 is beyond a doubt one of the greatest sets for piano and loved by both audience and performer. It is the apotheosis of a lifetime of creating beautiful music. It's more surprising because Brahms was not principally a pianist and his writing is "odd". Perahia is from the old school that emphasized artistry, control and interpretation as much as technique.
Many of the new players are incredible technicians but their speed (usually faster and louder than marked) is better. They lack the artistry that can only come with age and experience I try to play this Opus at last once a week and the F Minor more frequently but can't help but feel theE-flat Minor is his recognition of his impending mortality I only wish Perahia had not suffered hand problems throughout his life.
Ok, but ther's nothing "odd" about Brahms compositions...and its a bit of an exaggeration to categorize "new players" as "faster and louder". Some are. We all know who.... Its also in the realm of common sense that loudness/speed are usually at the expense of artistry. Most musicians would die for Perahia's presumed-disabled-technique!
I'm curious what you mean by "acquired taste". To my ears this music is very consonant, colorful, emotional, dynamic and at times very emotionally evocative. Seems quite accessible to me.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful performance...speechless!
This is the first time I have heard the Op188 No. 2 Intermezzo played at clearly the sort of speed Brahms intended and it is played with a great deal of subtlety and feeling. I can't help feeling that the performance could have been better still if Perahia could have put a little more emotion/passion into parts of the piece. You know that after hearing Brahms' "any donkey can see that" type of remarks when something is marked as accented Brahms really meant it! However, I quibble. This is so much better than the laboured indulgent performances you hear from a good many of the top pianists.
Thsi is very dissapointing.. . Glenn Gould´s version is almost unparrallel
gould had no idea how to play brahms however much i love how he plays bach!
Perfectly beautiful!
Happy birthday, Mr Brahms
I think this is the best, with Radu's.
Thanks for uploading!
Passionate
Perfect performance of this perfectly composed work with perfect technique. Nevertheless it's full of lyricism and innate romanticism.
Far from perfect... imo
Contrapunctus Sorry to hear that, but it's a problem de gustibus anyway.
Yes, de gustibus for sure.. And I actually like and respect Murray Perahia very much. I was following his brilliant and mind opening masterclass, which he gave in Sibelius Academy, Helsinki; he was very humble and symphatetic person. In this recording my problem, most of all ,lies in the the Intermezzo no.2 A major; there is some beautifully delicate, Polyphonic ideas, which i think only Glenn Gould has played in the way i think they should be played..
Contrapunctus I've just heard the Intermezzo No.2 played by Gould on UA-cam and felt he deeply analyzed this piece. But I cannot determine which performance is more perfect. Only Brahms himself could do it.
Well, to be frank, Perfection is only an illusion anyway...
Fantastic
Exquisite.
practice like him
sooooo beautiful
brie
its taken decades for the last two to have any meaning for me they seem unlike brahms or was he coming into a new style.i have to read about his later style.
Opera 118 di Brahms, difficile da suonare perche', come disse Youri Erzorov, "devi essere un musicista autentico per riuscirci".....
i wept through the whole thing 01:50 onwards
פסנתרן ענק!!!
13:34 14:15 Game of Thrones
3:10
Wo..
Fine as this is, G Gould is unbeateble with these pieces
can't listen to gould play brahms, as his quirkiness is just too much. what works for bach just doesn't work for brahms.
beg to disagree , while these - Perahia's - are excellent & wonderful renditions of Brahms' works , the 'quirkiness' of Gould makes me listen more acutely and as a result more aware of - if not all - but usually more and normally rather hidden ( for me , as 'non-musician' .. ) components of the music he presents .
Glenn Gould was a vulgar nutcase who distorted everything he played.
Try Radu Lupu as well, wonderful interpretation.
I also, have come to like Gould's the most.
.Sorry,too much advertising on Classic music. I do prefer unsubscribe .Saluti
3:58
13:05
This is very enjoyable, a bit too pretty (lyric..) and, but Radu Lupu is the only one who respects the "romance" spirit of the romance, as it's somewhat dreamy. Perahia plays it simply too pretty.
Insipid, like most of his playing.
You heard him play Mozart, Beethoven or the Chopin Ballades/Etudes?
"Insipid" is far too harsh, he's an outstanding artist of course, but he does tend toward the safe middle ground in his interpretations. And yes, I've heard plenty of his recordings.
There is a word for people like you. I can’t think of it right now, But it rhymes with boron.