Classical Music In Concert: Brahms: Symphony No. 1 & Piano Concerto No. 1

Wednesday 13 October 2021

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 & Piano Concerto No. 1 - Johannes Leertouwer

Johannes BRAHMS

(1833 - 1897)

Symphony No. 1 & Piano Concerto No. 1

Project Orchestra

Paolo Giacometti, fortepiano [Blüthner, 1857]

DIR.: JOHANNES LEERTOUWER

recording: Sept 20 & 21, 2019, Stadsgehoorzaal, Leiden

[studio recording]

period instruments

lossless (flac)

source: NPO4 (digital radio)

recorded with harddisc recorder

N.B. This performance is part of the doctoral research of Johannes Leertouwer. The subject is the application of what is known about performance practice in Brahms's time. According to Leertouwer, much is known about that, but very little of it is applied in performances. In total, four performances were/are planned. This is the first; a second will be broadcast in November. I am planning to upload the recording here as well.

The three main features of performance practice in Brahms's time are: 1) a sparing use of vibrato, as an ornament; 2) flexibility of tempo; 3) the use of portamento: the sliding from one note to the next.

Symphony No. 1 in c minor, op. 68 [42'13"]

(01) un poco sostenuto - allegro [12'26"]

(02) andante sostenuto [08'19"]

(03) un poco allegretto e grazioso [04'41"]

(04) adagio - più andante - allegro non troppo, ma con brio - più allegro [16'46"]

Concerto for pianoforte and orchestra No. 1 in d minor, op. 15 [46'07"]

(05) maestoso [22'01"]

(06) adagio [11'50"]

(07) rondo. allegro non troppo [12'16"]

links:

Symphony No. 1 - score

Piano Concerto No. 1 - score