Est 1923

Brahms Piano Works

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Johannes Brahms

Label: Meridian

Media Format: Cassette

Media Runtime: 0

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: KE77268

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
(10) Hungarian Dances Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano
(5) Piano Studies Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano
(2) Rhapsodies Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano

Composer or Director: Johannes Brahms

Label: Meridian

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 77

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CDE84268

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
(10) Hungarian Dances Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano
(5) Piano Studies Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano
(2) Rhapsodies Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, Piano
I recently reviewed Idil Biret's latest Brahms recital in her series for Naxos and welcomed her recording of the Five Studies, noting that they were currently absent from the catalogue. Now this Meridian recital has come along with the same studies, plus the notoriously difficult solo version of the first ten of the 21 Hungarian Dances for piano duet, also currently out of the catalogue—and the two Rhapsodies of which there are many versions.
Louis Demetrius Alvanis is an interesting and able pianist, though on this evidence not always a convincing one. The first Hungarian Dance has a real gipsy feeling to it, but is rhythmically capricious and thickly pedalled. The recording of his Yamaha Concert Grand, made in a London church, has too cavernous and clangorous a sound, yet it certainly has character: I suspect that, after hearing Alvanis's immense tone in forte, the producer and engineers have hastily withdrawn their microphones to a safe distance, and the result is a little odd. But the pianist's commitment to these ten dances is never in doubt; nor is his affection for them, though it is expressed very forcefully; and he gets around all Brahms's notes, which is saying something. I like his quirky way, too, with some gentler music, as in No. 3 in F and No. 9 in E minor. All the same, this performance remains much larger than life and, although undoubtedly worth hearing, will not be to all tastes.
Alvanis's tempos in the Five Studies are similar to Biret's and well judged, and though he omits some repeats in Nos. 3 and 4 which she observes, he is smoother in the F minor Study (in thirds and sixths) based on the one in Chopin's Op. 25, where, of course, the right-hand has single notes. I like these performances more than that of the Dances: they have spring and dexterity and do not lack charm although predictably No. 5, a version for left-hand of Bach's D minor Chaconne, places strength before sweetness.'

Brahms Piano Works

(10) Hungarian Dances

(5) Piano Studies

(2) Rhapsodies

Brahms Piano Works

(10) Hungarian Dances

(5) Piano Studies

(2) Rhapsodies

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