Brahms Intermezzo in C major, op. 119 no. 3 just for fun! I’ll bet Brahms had fun composing it, and the pianist playing it
brahms intermezzo in c major op 119 no 3
* AFTERWORD: This post has become very interesting as a result of Taneyev’s comment below! I’ve learned so much from his astute comments. The most important lesson so far has been not to put on the site the first rendition of a piece that I hear: But rather to listen to as least several and try to get a sense of what the composer might have really intended. Or … to go with an Artist who is known to specialise in interpreting the particular composer. I hope you find this piece interesting enough to read the comments (click on comments above – just under the Post title), listen to all the versions here … and maybe even come back with “THE ANSWER” (that is: What is closest to Brahm’s original score?)
Here’s Wilhelm Backhause
Brahms intermezzo op. 119 C major
Here’s Idil Biret *note: a 3 second delay
Brahms Intermezzo in C major Idil Biret
And here’s Jon Nakamatsu
intermezzo grazioso e giocoso
admin
May 10, 2010 at 8:24 pmTest Comment
Taneyev
December 12, 2009 at 9:38 amOssip was a fine pianist. I think the problem is the piano rolls. It tends to distort the sound and the speed is ofter faster that the real play. I’m sure that if we could listen Ossip playing on a modern piano the result would be totally different.
admin
December 11, 2009 at 9:26 pmThe first original recording for this post is a 100 year old recording that was on a Wikipedia page. As a result of Taneyev’s comment I sought out 3 alternative versions. (Sorry Taneyev I couldn’t find a Julius Katchen recording which is what you recommended backchannel to me.) However … Biret and Backhaus are reputable pianists (I don’t know Nakamatsu) – and after listening to all 4 versions I’m not so sure I agree with Taneyev. Since the piece is designated “Grazioso e Giocoso” (Grazioso = gracefully / Giocoso = gay or merry) The first version is certainly gay and merry – but not so graceful! It sound to me as though IF Brahms were feeling ‘cheeky’ or gay and merry when he wrote it! – then what’s so awful about the original version? But if I were to imagine the “Great Classical Composer” at work, then the last version by Nakamatsu sounds the most ‘dignified’ I’m sure some greater in depth research could reveal what Brahms himself would have wanted to hear. Maybe that’s why Taneyev mentioned Julius Katchen … because he was renowned for his Brahms renditions.
Taneyev
December 11, 2009 at 6:55 pmWho’s playing?. It’s awful!. (Taneyev is referring to the original piece) Sounds like an amateur trying to play some jazz!