Hélène Grimaud - Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 (2013) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Intense, romantic music-making from the world’s most captivating pianist. Thrilling, deeply personal interpretations of the dark, passionate sound-worlds of both Brahms piano concertos. A unique, multi-faceted artist who continues to push creative boundaries, Grimaud is one of few pianists to conquer the monumental dimensions of the epic Op.83.

Recorded under studio conditions in Vienna’s legendary Musikverein, the 2nd Piano Concerto marks Grimaud’s debut recording with the celebrated Wiener Philharmoniker; coupled with the equally coveted Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks for the 1st Concerto, Grimaud has discovered exemplary musical counterparts.

Conductor Andris Nelsons – dubbed “Der Wunderdirigent” by the Süddeutsche Zeitung – is one of today’s most exciting young interpreters of Romantic repertoire.

With over 850,000 sales for Deutsche Grammophon, Grimaud is set to recapture her position as a benchmark artist with broad popular appeal.

"… it would be hard to find a pairing that draws a greater distinction between the two [Piano Concertos] … With Nelsons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Grimaud's second recording of the First sounds a tad less youthful, a tad more disciplined, but the balance between those two elements remains truly inspired. Nelsons and the Bavarians are on nearly every level a better match for Grimaud … in this case fully encapsulating a young composer out to make the piano and orchestra equal partners … The Vienna Philharmonic, by contrast, are a truly imposing force right from the opening … Where the Bavarians emphasise flexibility and spontaneity, the Vienna Philharmonic make the simplest musical utterances seem epic … by again forsaking power for emotional depth – this time stressing an aura of contemplation – her results end up being no less monumental." (Jed Distler, Ken Smith, Grammophone Award Issue)

Tracklist:

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)

Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat, Op.83
1. 1. Allegro non troppo 18:52
2. 2. Allegro appassionato 09:25
3. 3. Andante - Più adagio 12:44
4. 4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco più presto 09:27

Waltz in A flat major op. 39 no. 15
5. 15. Waltz in A flat major 01:48

Personnel:
Hélène Grimaud, piano
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Wiener Philharmoniker
Andris Nelsons, conductor