The atmosphere must have been nothing
short of electric when the glittering
star soloists Martha Argerich, Gidon
Kremer, Yuri Bashmet and Mischa Maisky
came together in February 2002 in Berlin
to make this recording. It seems
that idea behind these recordings was
conceived as a result of highly acclaimed
recitals at the Verbier festival.
It is frequently stated that superstar
solo performers do not make first-class
chamber musicians. After listening to
this recording that contention is well
and truly open to doubt. This is truly
inspired chamber playing - masterly
performances!
In 1861 Brahms made his Vienna debut
as a composer and pianist to great acclaim
with this unqualified masterwork which
has remained a perennial favourite of
audiences. Music writer Donald Francis
Tovey described the noble opening movement
as original, impressive and tragic.
The group fluently transform the triumphant
and tender themes of the allegro
into tragic pathos. An agitated
and moody intermezzo takes the
place of the usual scherzo movement.
The players perform this capricious
and troubled second movement with considerable
exhilaration. Brahms conceived the andante
on a grand scale in memory of Robert
Schumann. This is one of Brahms’ most
richly poetic and romantic utterances
and the responsive strings of Kremer,
Bashmet and Maisky breathe as one. With
its arresting colours and Hungarian
and gypsy melodies the concluding movement
is performed with passion and white-hot
intensity. The astonishing fingerwork
of pianist Martha Argerich is simply
breathtaking. This is the most vital
and exciting chamber performance that
I have ever experienced.
The Schumann Fantasiestücke
for piano, violin and cello op.88 from
1842 is a much lighter and less dense
work than the Brahms Piano Quartet.
The score has been quite accurately
described as ‘Schumann’s little suite
of four character pieces’. An attractive
and lyrical work the Fantasiestücke
deserves to be treated as more than
‘mere chips from the master’s workbench’.
Our distinguished musicians confidently
achieve a radiant sense of fantasy in
the pieces combining sharply observed
detail with considerable artistry.
Really great performances with the Brahms
undoubtedly a ‘classic’. An indispensable
release!
Michael Cookson
Martha Argerich (piano)