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120.0. "Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto" by ORAN::ORAN () Tue Apr 30 1985 23:55

Ever since I got my CD player, I've been waiting with baited breath
for a decent recording of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto to come out.
There was one around by Ashkenazy, but, like a lot of people, I hate
Ashkenazy. My only recording is a bashed up copy of Richter which
I love but couldn't bring myself to listen to any more.

Low and behold, Rick Oakley at Electric Gramophone sat me down in a
chair and just about FORCED me to listen to the Ashkenazy. WOW! I'm going to
have to rethink my opinion of Ashkenazy. The performance is dazzling,
and the sound is simply wonderful. I recommend the disk VERY highly -
Haitink conducts the Vienna Philharmonic.

London 410 199-2.

P.S. Paul D. - Thanks for the recommendation on Solti's Messiah
     I agree - it's an exhilarating performance. My only minor
     quibble is that the chorus sounds mixed in with the orchestra
     rather than behind it - probably an artifact of multi-miking.

You're welcome.

I've got Ashkenazy doing Mozart piano concertos, and think he's
pretty good.  Dazzling is the word for it, all right.