Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Hungarian Dance no.1

This is the (in)famous 1889 cylinder recording made of Brahms playing the piano. After a spoken introduction ("House von [of] Herr Doctor Fellinger, I have Doctor Brahms, Johannes Brahms"), Brahms plays an abbreviated form of his first Hungarian Dance.

The cylinder is almost inaudible. However, this recording, which I have pieced together from a variety of different sampled and digitised sources and subsequently overlaid on top of each other, seems to be better than any other I have come across, so I am posting it here as well.

If you already know the piece, you'll be able to hear what Brahms sounds like. If you don't know the piece... well, you might be a little lost in this one.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• brahms
• cylinder
• hungarian
• dance
• piano
• recording
• historic

[jlavalse]

This is the best rendering of this ancient I've heard. You can actually make out some piano tone here. Bravo!

[AngelicaTross]

For the first time I hear it all very clearly. Great recording. Vital playing. Some embellishments differ from the written score. Just as it should be. :) However, measure 13 is such a strange place to start at. Why not at 1 or 25? On a second thought, measure 13 is just brilliant. 13-24 makes a perfect prelude. Today I will be learning this. Thank you!

[MrGer2295]

MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you for sharing this Wonderful Historical recording.

[babmusician]

Do You see my tears friends? I cant belive hearing Brahms! i think we actually have listened to "fake" brahms until now!!! what i hear now, is "greater" that the great Brahms!

[Ottaviano16]

Diese Aufnahme mit der original Stimme von Johannes Brahms ist eine Rarität. So weis man was der Meister für eine Stimme hatte.

[pastafantastica]

@AngelicaTross Mayby You have X-Ray ears:) I also love the embellishments (s..................h)

Regards, Pasta

[Fredianel]

I HEARD this Performanse! I HEARD!...

[PrInCeShAdE1]

delete this !O.O

[worldsno1drwhofan]

this sounds very magical! :D

[ILikeSubscribing2U]

Wow. that blew me away.

[RollaArtis]

Hmm - I'm not sure about this version, but nonetheless all show that Brahms was a highly accomplished pianist. It could be that he was the best interpreter of his own works, certainly I think they come to life when they are played (when required) like this in a fast and furious manner.

[44STYLE187]

great!