Favorite Recording of Brahms PC 1?

[orangesodaking]

I've listened to a lot of recordings of Brahms' D Minor Piano Concerto, but for some reason, I just love the really full sound, great depth, and technical mastery of John Ogdon. The orchestra behind him sounded great, too! This is the most exciting interpretation for me.

And in general, I love this concerto! It's tied with the Busoni as my favorite. It has a neoclassicist sound that the Busoni doesn't have, and I've always REALLY loved the classicist sound (post-classical era, but in the classical style with the improvements of the later eras).

What about you? What's your favorite recording?

[thalbergmad]

Not listened to a great deal of recordings of this, but I guess Katchen for me.

If you like Brahms concerto I would be inclined to suggest that you try Stavenhagen, Rheinberger & Urspruch, if you have not already done so.

Thal

[perfect_pitch]

Personally my favourite recording, hands down - is Stephen Kovacevich...

The man plays it like no other. He has a power and intensity at times that is just marvellous.   

[presto agitato]

Obviously, the best recording of this MASTERPIECE is the one by Emil Giles and Eugen Jochum with The Berlin Philharmonic.

[perfect_pitch]

I'll need to give Gilels a listen then... because I haven't heard it so far, but Kovacevich is the best I've heard without hearing Gilels.

Have you heard Kovacevich's playing? If so, how would you rate it to Emil?

[argerichfan]

I've very partial to Andsnes/Rattle on EMI.  Otherwise, by all means: Katchen, Serkin, Giles. 

[birba]

I think Kempff's rendition merits listening to, as well.

[iumonito]

There are many wonderful recordings of this.

Gilels certainly one of them.

There is a radio recording with Horowitz playing that is truly wonderful.  I like his D Minor concerto much better than the B-Flat (which is a more available recording).

Another classic is Glenn Gould's.  His tempi were thought strange at the time, but now that we have Arrau and Zimmerman (also beautifully expansive), one can just listen and enjoy.  Incidentally, Bernstein conducts both Zimmerman and Gould.

Here are my three favorite:

Backhaus

Schnabell

Julius Katchen

[mnmleung]

My favourite recording is a 1930s Horowitz recording with Bruno Walter, with some music missing (lost a cylinder or a side of 78 ?)

[guldafan]

Try and ancient recording on Arbiter by Alfred Hoehn.  He's remembered today, if at all, for beating out Arthur Rubinstein for the Anton Rubinstein prize in 1910. Hoehn did that playing the Hammerklavier. It must have been fascinating because here in another titanic work you'd think you were listening to an intermezzo. While Hoehn has ample reserves of power his hallmark is a chamber musician's delicacy. He couldn't pull it off if the great Max Fiedler weren't willing to listen closely and truly collaborate.  This has become my favorite recording.

[stevensk]

I absolutely dont like and reject the view that there is one "favorite" recording, "favorite" pianist and "favorit" and "definitive" ...what ever. Different recordings and pianists contributes whith and enhances different aspects and qualities in music.