During Art Scott’s recent visit to the Kelley Hotel, he mention that the Piano Pieces of Brahms Opp. 117-119 would be one of his “Desert Island Discs.” Desert Island Discs is an old BBC radio program where guests discussed the eight records (later, CDs) they would want to have if they were castaway on a desert island. Art’s comment about Brahams Opp. 117-119 sparked a quick search of AMAZON for the perfect performances of these pieces. It quickly became apparent there weren’t any perfect performances. People complained about Idil Biret’s performances on Naxos. Others found fault with Radu Lupu’s disc (“The recording quality is completely unacceptable, though. It sounds like the piano is wrapped in blankets and the microphone placed in a coffee can.”). Still others found Julius Katchen’s playing “dull.” Although he didn’t record all of Opp. 117-119, Van Cliburn recorded much of it and it can be heard on MY FAVORITE BRAHMS. I’ve always liked Cliburn’s playing because it is artful without being pretentious. After you listen to Cliburn playing Brahms, you might make this CD one of your “Desert Island Discs.” GRADE: A
I listened to this radio show every week the year we spent in England. Invariably the picks were similar to this. Except for Hugh Grant who chose music like THE TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC. English men seems inordinately fond of both teddy bears and their childhood.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) had something similar to “Desert Island Discs” that I listened to on the radio from time to time. It’s always fun to see what music other people treasure. I outgrew my teddy bear (Jingles) by the time I was five and turned to Robbie the Robot, Patti.
Actually George, it’s Opp. 116-199. 20 pieces in all, which just about fit on one CD. I like the Cliburn performances, which I have on LP. They were recorded well before Van lost it, and were I suspect a pet project of his own choosing, a welcome break from Russian concertos. As to CDs with the complete 116-119, I have four integrales, which I’ve just sampled: Ortiz (not bad, but on the defunct Collins label), Vladar (too nervy, and a clattery-sounding recording), Kempff (surprisingly dull and perfunctory), and finally Helene Grimaud on Erato — my suggestion for someone wanting Brahms late Klavierstucke in one package. These pieces clearly have emotional resonance for her; I’ve heard her play a couple as encores, superbly. I’m currently reading her autobiography, will let you know whether she has anything to say about her taste for Brahms.
I’ll have to pick up a copy of Helene Grimaud’s Brahms, Art. But I’m still recovering from her Bach CD.
Interesting. I have not heard this Van Cliburn nor the Helene Grimaud, but intend to seek one or both of them out.
I seem to remember the radio program broadcast on a PBS station here years ago, and wondering how best to find the records mentioned. I wish I’d written those down, or if I did, I wish I’d saved the lists.
I’m sure you’ll like the Cliburn Brahms disc, Rick.
DID has been around for 60 years. There was a book published in 1975, authored by the original presenter, Roy Plomley, that apparently listed the DID guests’ choices to date. A quick google and you can find links to choices from 2002 on. That leaves a big quarter-century gap. There must be a complete listing out there somewhere.
The fun of such lists, whether they’re of “essential music” or essential books, is discovering what people value. What music (or books) can they not live without. It was interesting to me that you valued these late Brahms piano pieces so highly, Art.