This is quite a piece from the early Brahms, and is a favorite of mine (and apparently one of the favorites of many pianists of stature). I would put this one up near the top, with sort of a tie between Perahia and Arrau at the apex. But this one's fugue is truly spectacular. Thanks for this posting!
My goodness, what a spectacular performance of this VERY difficult piece, especially the last variation and the big fugue (truly perfect-shape, voicing, power, technical virtuosity). Brava Ms. Kern!
Many years ago I was fortunate to have 'Fema' Bronfman practice on our Bechstein for 2-3 hours. He worked on a number of the more difficult variations...this wonderful composition filled our house. He later told me he was on his way to London to record it and needed practice time - alone.
Immaculate perfection! Not a note out of place in a beautifully conceived, finely-crafted interpretation. Pretty much on a par with Murray Perahia, Julius Katchen, the latter being slightly more ferocious, the former more lyrical but equally virtuosic. Ms. Kern like those named above is equally well in command of the always challenging material, but her rendition seems just a little bit too well behaved for my taste. It's almost too perfect -- too fine if such could be possible.
Listening to this wonderful rendition has shaken my belief that I possessed the ultimate version by Emmanuel Ax , previously mentioned. Now, I am thinking: it doesn't get any better than this, even allowing for the many fine versions there are 'out there' of this particular composition. A favourite. thombo
After listening to the classically chaste, pure, noble, admirably reserved performance by Balint Vaszonyi and the vivid, spontaneous, absolutely wild, adventurous, playful -- even humorous -- interpretation of Maria Yudina, which teeters right on the brink of Beyond, I'd have to place Ms. Kern somewhere in the middle between two wonderful extremes. Not present on RUclips (at least not found by me yet) is the robust, energetic, also well-groomed reading by Emmanuel Ax.
Beautiful touch. Really wonderful. Much smoother than one usually hears (not making a value comment either way; just commenting). I found it refreshing, although I like the other "more forceful" (not sure the best way to say this) interpretations as well. Among many fine performances, I didn't see Roman Rabinovich's mentioned, which is available online, and very fine.
A wonderful performance! She negotiated the technical difficulties with ease (and this is a HARD pi8ece -- beyond the reach of many pianists), and it was entirely musical. She caught the flavor of each variation beautifully. She remained "true to the score" while still infusing it with her own personality and emotions. She's a pro and I loved it.
It's impossible to say that ay of these listed is "better" than any of the others. In the end it's just a matter of personal preference. I have a sneaking suspicion that Brahms, himself, with whom my own pianistic grandfather, Carl Friedberg, studied would not only have approved, but would have been thoroughly delighted with every one of these interpretations -- and earlier ones by Solomon, Arrau, and Serkin as well.
Hats off, Everyone! We have here a splendid VIRTUOSO, but one who is also a fine MUSICIAN filed with imagination, controlled pasion, original insights, and extraordinarily refined attention to details.
I was present at the concert in Mexico tonite December 2nd 2016, Rachmaninoff's 2nd, was absolute perfection and total mastery at the piano. Congratulations. I hope to see you soon again at the Nezahualcoyotl Concert Hal..Mexico City.
Late last night I discovered Gyorgy Sebok's and Thomas Vasary's recordings of this, and found both have MUCH to recommend them. I was surprised to find Vasary's one the most satisfying of all available renditions. Sebok's is uncommonly elegant, but not richly robust as many of the others. WIlhelm Kempff's astonished for its unexpected forcefulness and high-powered virtuosity not usually characteristic of his playing.
@@DLee594 Fritz is a well-known TROLL who prides himself on being an unmitgated pain-in-the-ass. I've yet to see him say anything enthusiastic about ANY performance. Always a nitpicker - at best.
![Yuja Wang: Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major Op. 83 [HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BszBccYHuAk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Yuja Wang: Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major Op. 83 [HD]](/img/tr.png)
The best version I've ever heard.
This is quite a piece from the early Brahms, and is a favorite of mine (and apparently one of the favorites of many pianists of stature). I would put this one up near the top, with sort of a tie between Perahia and Arrau at the apex. But this one's fugue is truly spectacular. Thanks for this posting!
My goodness, what a spectacular performance of this VERY difficult piece, especially the last variation and the big fugue (truly perfect-shape, voicing, power, technical virtuosity). Brava Ms. Kern!
Thanks for uploading this. I love Olga Kern's playing a lot.
Gorgeous performance of the Variations.
...this lady is amazing !!! a real gift of God! very wonderfull work! perfect sensibility ... ! is music lives!! may God bless you for this post..
Many years ago I was fortunate to have 'Fema' Bronfman practice on our Bechstein for 2-3 hours. He worked on a number of the more difficult variations...this wonderful composition filled our house. He later told me he was on his way to London to record it and needed practice time - alone.
Fantastic performer!
i never heard such perfect played music, Kern is a wonder
..very good piece and performance!!
Immaculate perfection! Not a note out of place in a beautifully conceived, finely-crafted interpretation.
Pretty much on a par with Murray Perahia, Julius Katchen, the latter being slightly more ferocious, the former more lyrical but equally virtuosic.
Ms. Kern like those named above is equally well in command of the always challenging material, but her rendition seems just a little bit too well behaved for my taste. It's almost too perfect -- too fine if such could be possible.
Listening to this wonderful rendition has shaken my belief that I possessed the ultimate version by Emmanuel Ax , previously mentioned. Now, I am thinking: it doesn't get any better than this, even allowing for the many fine versions there are 'out there' of this particular composition. A favourite. thombo
This is excellent! A sensitive and nuanced performance. She communicates very clearly.
After listening to the classically chaste, pure, noble, admirably reserved performance by Balint Vaszonyi and the vivid, spontaneous, absolutely wild, adventurous, playful -- even humorous -- interpretation of Maria Yudina, which teeters right on the brink of Beyond, I'd have to place Ms. Kern somewhere in the middle between two wonderful extremes.
Not present on RUclips (at least not found by me yet) is the robust, energetic, also well-groomed reading by Emmanuel Ax.
Beautiful touch. Really wonderful. Much smoother than one usually hears (not making a value comment either way; just commenting). I found it refreshing, although I like the other "more forceful" (not sure the best way to say this) interpretations as well. Among many fine performances, I didn't see Roman Rabinovich's mentioned, which is available online, and very fine.
A wonderful performance! She negotiated the technical difficulties with ease (and this is a HARD pi8ece -- beyond the reach of many pianists), and it was entirely musical. She caught the flavor of each variation beautifully. She remained "true to the score" while still infusing it with her own personality and emotions. She's a pro and I loved it.
It's impossible to say that ay of these listed is "better" than any of the others. In the end it's just a matter of personal preference.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Brahms, himself, with whom my own pianistic grandfather, Carl Friedberg, studied would not only have approved, but would have been thoroughly delighted with every one of these interpretations -- and earlier ones by Solomon, Arrau, and Serkin as well.
Hats off, Everyone! We have here a splendid VIRTUOSO, but one who is also a fine MUSICIAN filed with imagination, controlled pasion, original insights, and extraordinarily refined attention to details.
I was present at the concert in Mexico tonite December 2nd 2016, Rachmaninoff's 2nd, was absolute perfection and total mastery at the piano. Congratulations. I hope to see you soon again at the Nezahualcoyotl Concert Hal..Mexico City.
I LOVE this!!!!
hers is a brilliant talent. those of us lacking that talent can only listen and gape.
素晴らしい❗
She's superb. I heard her play the Rach 3 at tf Brevard music festival in 2009, and it was more moving than you can omagine.
grande pianista
I too Like Olga's playing 2nd to Maestro Horowitz!!!
23:51 - Fuga
Non sempre i compositori sono i migliori esecutori della loro musica.
she rocks!
She does play beautifully. Why are you so angry??
Late last night I discovered Gyorgy Sebok's and Thomas Vasary's recordings of this, and found both have MUCH to recommend them.
I was surprised to find Vasary's one the most satisfying of all available renditions. Sebok's is uncommonly elegant, but not richly robust as many of the others.
WIlhelm Kempff's astonished for its unexpected forcefulness and high-powered virtuosity not usually characteristic of his playing.
it's the thema of Haendel
i know very good these musica for piano .
Gdje ih bilan nebio Birane nalaziš?
23:12 ....why so dry ? That's not what your public is waiting from you , Olga ...
I like the crisp dryness.
Fritz Maisenbacher it's staccato in the score.
@@DLee594 Fritz is a well-known TROLL who prides himself on being an unmitgated pain-in-the-ass. I've yet to see him say anything enthusiastic about ANY performance. Always a nitpicker - at best.
23:12 is NOT “dry”. Your perception is off.
@@DLee594 A staccato can be warm. Horowitz, Lhevinne, Barere ..........
Classical music is impressive but still boring