For a long time, this was the only decent version of this Ballade on YouTube. Now, we have many good versions. I still like this one very much; my favorite YouTube version is Michelangeli's. My favorite anywhere is Paul Cantrell who recorded himself (Google "paul cantrell brahms ballade" to find it). The tempo is slower than most, and I love it. The recording technique is fantastic--like one is sitting at the piano. Back to Paulo Brasil: I could live with this as my only recording. Thank you.
Nicely done ! Love your tempo as well. But would recommend to make the righ-hand thema "sing" more, such as in Michelangeli's fabulous and haunting interpretation...
Superbly meditative, Paulo. I feel there is scope for more 'air' on the motif that rises to G in the 'hymn tune' section; when it comes back minore, you could 'scrunch' the dischords more. Still, you are unlocking 'coded' Brahms. The last revelatory account of these was by Gould. All you do en matiere du piano coheres 100% with my ideal vision of the sonority, weight, gravitas and meditative potential of the instrument, as best expressed in Bechsteins or Bluthners. What more could one say? -MFMS
For a long time, this was the only decent version of this Ballade on YouTube. Now, we have many good versions. I still like this one very much; my favorite YouTube version is Michelangeli's. My favorite anywhere is Paul Cantrell who recorded himself (Google "paul cantrell brahms ballade" to find it). The tempo is slower than most, and I love it. The recording technique is fantastic--like one is sitting at the piano. Back to Paulo Brasil: I could live with this as my only recording. Thank you.
Straussian 3 years ago
Nicely done ! Love your tempo as well. But would recommend to make the righ-hand thema "sing" more, such as in Michelangeli's fabulous and haunting interpretation...
rxl007 3 years ago
Bravo!
marcocresci 3 years ago
One of my favorite Brahms pieces. I really like it at this tempo-- nice and slow.
spooked911 3 years ago
Whoever you are, I sure love your heartfelt
if somewhat languid rendition, bravo!
suzettegm 3 years ago
Superbly meditative, Paulo. I feel there is scope for more 'air' on the motif that rises to G in the 'hymn tune' section; when it comes back minore, you could 'scrunch' the dischords more. Still, you are unlocking 'coded' Brahms. The last revelatory account of these was by Gould. All you do en matiere du piano coheres 100% with my ideal vision of the sonority, weight, gravitas and meditative potential of the instrument, as best expressed in Bechsteins or Bluthners. What more could one say? -MFMS
MFMSMITH 3 years ago