Igor Levit, Christian Thielemann & Wiener Philharmoniker – Brahms: Piano Concertos & Solo Piano Opp. 116 – 119 – CD

Digisleeve

The first joint recording by Igor Levit, Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic with both of Brahms’ piano concertos will be released by Sony Classical.

It is a triple album and also includes Levit’s long-awaited recording of Brahms’ late solo piano works. As a special encore, Levit and Thielemann play a Brahms waltz four-handed. The album will be released by Sony Classical on October 4th.

Concerts in December 2023 and April 2024 at the Vienna Musikverein have resulted in the first joint recording by Igor Levit, Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic, which will be released as a triple album together with Levit’s recording of Brahms’ well-known solo piano works opp. 116-119 by Sony Classical. Levit and Thielemann met artistically quite unplanned, although both had long been curious about each other. In 2015, Levit spontaneously stepped in for a sick colleague and played Mozart’s C major concerto KV 467 with Thielemann and the Staatskapelle Dresden in Munich. Despite an extremely short rehearsal period, the two found each other immediately: “We have such a similar attitude that there are many things that you don’t even have to talk about,” says Thielemann. And Levit adds: “When the piece begins, I simply have basic trust in you. I know I can’t make a wrong turn. This unconditional trust is extraordinary.” Igor Levit and Christian Thielemann both emphasize how important and valuable the collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic is to them.

For Levit, the inclusion of Brahms’ popular solo works opp. 116-119 on the album just felt right. The pianist says: “Brahms’ music immediately touches you deep in your heart. Like someone shooting an arrow straight into your heart.”

The upcoming album closes with a special encore – the four-hand version of Brahms’ Waltz Op. 39 No. 15, played by Igor Levit and Christian Thielemann. Levit explains: “Brahms is often the most consistent music here, with very long breaths and a steady heartbeat. Now that I feel in the right place with this music, I couldn’t be happier.”

Disc 1
1 I. Maestoso – Igor Levit, Christian Thielemann & Wiener Philharmoniker
2 II. Adagio
3 III. Rondo. Allegro non troppo

Disc 2
1 I. Allegro non troppo – Igor Levit, Christian Thielemann & Wiener Philharmoniker
2 II. Allegro appassionato
3 III. Andante
4 IV. Allegretto grazioso

Disc 3
1 No. 1: Capriccio in D Minor
2 No. 2: Intermezzo in A Minor
3 No. 3: Capriccio in G Minor
4 No. 4: Intermezzo in E Major
5 No. 5: Intermezzo in E Minor
6 No. 6: Intermezzo in E Major
7 No. 7: Capriccio in D Minor
8 No. 1 in E-Flat Major
9 No. 2 in B-Flat Minor
10 No. 3 in C-Sharp Minor
11 No. 1: Intermezzo in A Minor
12 No. 2: Intermezzo in A Major
13 No. 3: Ballade in G Minor
14 No. 4: Intermezzo in F Minor
15 No. 5: Romance in F Major
16 No. 6: Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor
17 No. 1: Intermezzo in B Minor – Levit, Igor
18 No. 2: Intermezzo in E Minor
19 No. 3: Intermezzo in C Major
20 No. 4: Rhapsody in E-Flat Major
21 Waltz in A Major, Op. 39, No. 15 (Version for piano 4-hands) – Igor Levit & Christian Thielemann