Andras Schiff on Johannes Brahms's Piano Concerto No.1 in d minor, op. 15 | ECM Records

Sir András Schiff in conversation about the Piano Concertos of Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms: Piano Concertos

András Schiff - piano
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

ECM New Series 2690/91

“My enthusiasm for Brahms goes back to my youth, and the piano concertos are largely responsible for it,” writes Sir András Schiff in a liner note for this remarkable new recording. It finds the great pianist reassessing interpretive approaches to Brahms in the inspired company of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. To fully bring out the characteristics of Brahms’s music Schiff’s choice of instrument is a Blüthner piano built in Leipzig around 1859, the year in which the D minor concerto was premiered. The historically informed Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment plays with the flexibility, attitude, and responsiveness of a chamber music ensemble, as they work without a conductor, listening attentively to each other. András Schiff’s collaboration with the orchestra in a series of concerts was widely acclaimed: “Brahms’s First Piano Concerto was reborn thanks to the OAE’s incisive playing and András Schiff’s characterful phrasing”, The Guardian exclaimed. The musicians’ mutual wish to recapture the experience led to the present double album, recorded in London in December 2019. An extensive CD booklet includes liner notes by András Schiff and Peter Gülke in English and German.

Video recorded at Beethoven Haus in Bonn by Klangmalerei.TV

[boschblue]

Listening to Andras Schiff speak about music is just as pleasurable as listening to him play music.

[quaver]

Thank you, Sir András. Always you teach us (or me, at least) something we do not know or have never before understood. If we did not have you speaking and making music online (yes, you have told us you are uncomfortable “online”), we would be lacking more than you could ever imagine. The Internet is a blessing for many of us when it comes to classical music; it is “making movies about music”, something that I heard you lament as missing from modern life. With “online” wisely used, we are - musically speaking - wealthy people, and very grateful for what you (and some others) give us in the way of musical education.
Since 1988, when I first heard you play in Australia (2 Bach concerti), you have taught me more than I learnt in many years of musical education in my country of origin (not Australia). We wish you could be happy and filled with wonder at the riches you give us. And understand how good you are at doing it. Next month I will be 79 years old, and I am still learning from you. Thank you.

[iwavns]

I just played through this concerto yesterday! And now I have the opportunity to hear Andras Schiff talk about it, how nice!

[dorotheasluik]

Thank you so much, Sir András! It is such a great pleasure to hear you speaking about music and to hear you playing! You can never tell us enough!

[ProudBerliozian]

Oh, how I love, love, love this exposition and discussion of this fabulous masterpiece. Slightly more, I adore Schiff’s playing. He so connects with this music.

[jans]

Thankyou for this! I've managed to see Andras Schiff play Brahms P1 twice! A fantastic experience to hear him play (in Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen), and I love his way of playing both Brahms and Beethoven.

[erb]

Thank you, Sir Andras for you wonderful insights into the marvelous D minor concerto of Brahms.

[khann]

It is always a pleasure getting to watch Sir Andreas thoughts on classical music. He always describes the historical background and proceds to link some kinds of philosophy to the Song

[terrybyrne]

A concise and illuminating description of this early, fiery work of Brahms. I love his description of the significance of the horn in North Germany. The magic of the German forest (as conveyed in German folk tales) that is captured by the horn! And how well he plays the passionate final movement!

[RolandHuettmann]

Great to watch -- do you feel this beautiful atmosphere András creates? And l love this first Brahms concert since I heard it first a long time ago. Continue speaking and playing... András Schiff ! Thank you.

[davidklein]

I just ordered this CD last week. Now I'm waiting for my Schiff to come in.

[Bnorma]

What a beautiful piano!! Mr. Schiff is always such an elegant musician and speaker.

[irinavassvetlova]

Thank You very much!! Very interesting!!!

[jsguitargeek]

Been the concerto that speaks directly to my soul since my first listen, in 1972

[michaelnancyamsden]

Wonderful presentation! Thank you Mr. Schiff.

[renaldtremblay]

Merci maître pour vos merveilleuses informations! Votre intelligence et votre humour nous plaisent infiniment.

[bachopinbee]

The idea of Benedictus is brilliant beyond what I imagined was behind the incredible lines of the 2nd movement

[RicardoPinto___]

When someone ask me which piano concerto I prefer, my answer flow automatically: Brahms first piano concerto! Bravo maestro Andras Schiff!

[romulotorres]

I could listen to stories and analyses like this one for hours!

[franciscoespinozagamboa]

...gracias maestro Schiff, por este interesante comentario sobre este monumental concierto del genial J.Brahms