Among those who follow the recorded history of Brahms' monumental First Piano Concerto, the two studio recordings of
Claudio Arrau hold an especially exalted place in the pantheon. His earlier recording for EMI with
Carlo Maria Giulini leading the
London Philharmonia was hugely romantic, immensely dramatic, and wildly virtuosic, while his later recording for Philips with
Bernard Haitink leading the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam was hugely romantic and even more immensely dramatic, but perhaps just a bit less virtuosic. So, among those who follow the recorded history of Brahms' First Piano Concerto, where would this 1962 live concert recording of
Arrau with
Rafael Kubelik leading the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks fit in?
As you might expect, it is hugely romantic with soaring melodies and surging climaxes. Perhaps unexpectedly, it is also less dramatic and more lyric, with molded phrasing and sculpted dynamics. And, possibly unsurprisingly, it is not nearly as virtuosic as his studio recordings because, great a pianist as he was,
Arrau was not above dropping the notes and slamming chords in a live performance. That's alright: the added excitement of performing in front of an audience more than makes up for the slight diminution of
Arrau's technique.
Kubelik, surely the best Czech conductor after
Talich, turns in a wholly sympathetic yet entirely individualistic accompaniment with the sometimes rugged, sometimes refined Bavarian orchestra. With the addition of a deeply affecting Alto Rhapsody with
Grace Hoffman from 1963, this disc will be of great interest to those who follow Brahms' First Piano Concerto who already know and love
Arrau's two studio recordings. For those who don't already know Brahms' First Piano Concerto, either of
Arrau's studio recordings would be a fine place to start, but the earlier one might be better. Orfeo's live stereo sound is distant and harsh but still real and honest.