Brahms: Piano Concertos No.1 & No.2 - Garrick Ohlsson & Tadaaki Otaka

Johannes Brahms:
01. - 03. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, op.15 [51'23]
04. - 07. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, op.83 [51'11]

Garrick Ohlsson- piano, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tadaaki Otaka

ABC Classics 4810409  [recorded November 2012; digital download released July 2014]

[digital download; flacs, cover and inlay scans, no booklet]

Here's an intersting mix of American pianist, Japanese conductor and Australian orchestra. Recorded in concert in Melbourne's main arts complex, the audience is surprisingly quiet during the performance and there's little evidence of any patching. However, they do break out into enthusiastic applause at the end of each work.

Garrick Ohlsson follows the modern trend of taking his time playing these concertos. If this troubles you, you are unlikely to be swayed away from the early stereo classic Leon Fleischer with the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell. Nevertheless, these are big-boned, fine performances by Ohlsson and Otaka is with Ohlsson all the way - offering a finely nuanced accompaniment. The electricity of a live performance is very evident.

Download from MEGA.