This is a new recording of Johannes Brahms’ (1833–1897) First Piano Concerto together with Four Ballades (Op. 10) for solo piano.
As in previous albums, Lars Vogt conducts from the keyboard. The evolution of Brahms’ 1st Piano Concerto took several steps. Originally conceived to become a Sonata for Two Pianos through orchestration it was developed into a four-movement Symphony until reaching into its final form of a Piano Concerto in three movements. During the process, which lasted from 1854 to 1856, some movements were also discarded and replaced by new material.
This music is packed with a lot of drama. No wonder since these years were particularly tumultuous in Brahms’ personal life: it was during this period when his great mentor Robert Schumann was sent into an asylum and ultimately died. It was also time when Brahms formed a close, lifelong friendship with Clara Schumann. Some of these feelings might well be echoed in the peaceful 2nd movement, Adagio.
Brahms’ Four Ballades, Op. 10 are works written in 1854 by a young composer barely in his 20’s, yet these pieces are technically mature and profound in such a manner that they could even be compared to his final piano pieces.
Here is Lars Vogt, speaking about and performing the Concerto #1 by Brahms:
