Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 1 (2004)

Back in the '50s and '60s when RCA was one of the two dominant American classical record companies, the big debate was over which of their two recordings of Brahms Piano Concerto in B flat major was better: the Emil Gilels with Fritz Reiner from 1958 or the Sviatoslav Richter with Leinsdorf from 1960. Both are with the Chicago Symphony at the peak of its strength and sensitivity. Both had RCA's stereo sound at the height of its clarity and reality. And both featured the two greatest Russian pianists of the postwar period: ... Read More

Back in the '50s and '60s when RCA was one of the two dominant American classical record companies, the big debate was over which of their two recordings of Brahms Piano Concerto in B flat major was better: the Emil Gilels with Fritz Reiner from 1958 or the Sviatoslav Richter with Leinsdorf from 1960. Both are with the Chicago Symphony at the peak of its strength and sensitivity. Both had RCA's stereo sound at the height of its clarity and reality. And both featured the two greatest Russian pianists of the postwar period: the magisterial and mercurial Gilels and the mighty and monumental Richter.It's a tough call and the answer is now as it was then: hear both and find out for yourself. As brilliant and beautiful as the Gilels is and as powerful and persuasive a conductor as Reiner is, the Richter remains the one to get. Richter's technique always seemed a bit more brilliant and his interpretation always seemed a little deeper, but the sheer exuberance of his virtuosity always seemed more compelling... Read Less

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2004, RCA Red Seal UPC: 828766086027 CD See All