Brahms: Piano Concerto #1 / Kovacevich

Stephen Kovacevich - Piano, Ann Murray - Alto, Nobuko Imai - Viola, London Philharmonic, Wolfgang Sawallisch - conductor

1. Pno Con No.1 in d, Op.15: I. Maestoso - Stephen Sawallisch 2. Pno Con No.1 in d, Op.15: II. Adagio - Stephen Sawallisch 3. Pno Con No.1 in d, Op.15: III. Rondo. Allegro non troppo - Stephen Sawallisch 4. Two Song for Alto with Viola and Pno, Op.91: 1. Gestillte Sehnsucht (Ruckert) - Stephen Sawallisch/Ann Murray/Nobuko Imai 5. Two Song for Alto with Viola and Pno, Op.91: 2. Geistliches Wiegenlied (nach Lope de... - Stephen Sawallisch/Ann Murray/Nobuko Imai

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Kovacevich gives a spellbinding performance of Brahms' 1st Piano Concerto. Although he is a speed demon at the keyboard, he never forsakes his excellent technique. And I might add that his playing is as vibrant and lyrical as Gilels' critically acclaimed Deutsche Grammophon performance (Gilels/Jochum/Berlin Philharmonic.). Without a doubt, this has to be one of the two great recordings of the Brahms 1st, alongside Gilels'. Sawallisch and the London Philharmonic are admirable accompanists, playing as well as their peers in Berlin. Those looking for a modern digital recording should regard this as their first choice.