RCA: Brahms's 2nd Concerto & solo pieces

Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2

RCA Victor: 60523-2-RG

Johannes Brahms
1-4. Piano Concerto No.2 in B-flat major, Op.83
Arturo Toscanini/NBC Symphony Orchestra

Johannes Brahms
5. Intermezzo in B-flat minor, Op.117 No.2

Franz Schubert
6. Impromptu in G-flat major, Op.90 No.3 (Played in G major)

Franz Liszt
7. Au bord d'une source
8. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca
9. Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 (Arr. Horowitz)

Horowitz Submits to Toscanini's Iron Will

This recording of the Brahms Second Concerto, made in 1940, was the first (officially) recorded collaboration between Horowitz and his father-in-law, Arturo Toscanini. Great conductor that he was, Toscanini left something to be desired as an accompanist--it was always Toscanini's way, or no way at all. Horowitz basically marches along to Toscanini's beat, allowing himself some welcome freedom in the piano solos (the second subject solo is especially well phrased). It must be said that few soloists play the notes as honestly in this Concerto as Horowitz does here (there is no covering up with the pedal or dropping of notes, ala Rubinstein). But that alone does not make a successful performance. The sonics are good for 1940 (the recording was made in Carnegie Hall, instead of the notoriously cramped Studio 8-H), the piano and orchestra are well balanced. However, there is a far superior performance from these collaborators, made off the air from a live concert in 1948, with a ! marginally more assertive Horowitz and much better sound, available on the Music & Arts label.

The Brahms Intermezzo is from a live concert. The performance could best be described a Schumannesque, but the sound is airless.

The Schubert Impromptu was recorded in 1953, but not released until many years later. Horowitz became displeased with the recording, when he realized he was playing from a musicologically corrupt edition of the score. His 1962 Sony recording and 1987 live Vienna performance--on video only--are to be preferred here.

The Liszt pieces are the high point on this album. Although Au bord d'une Source is poorly transferred, the performance is as bracing as a mountain stream. The Sonetto is easily superior pianistically to his 1986 DG recording. Horowitz' own arrangement of Liszt's warhorse Hungarian Rhapsody #2 has to be heard to believed. During the cadenza, he plays all three themes at once! Horowitz later commented that this was the most difficult transcription he ever made, but he makes it sound easy.

© Hank Drake

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