Norman Krieger, despite being “one of the most acclaimed pianists of his generation” (notes) is a name new to me, though I cannot see how I missed a pianist with such sterling chops as this. His website shows a host of other recordings that I will have to check out (www.normankrieger.com), but for now I can luxuriate in the glories of this Brahms 1, one of the most difficult in the literature and not an easy piece for the orchestra to pull off either.
Krieger is on top of it right from the opening mysterious entrance of the piano, surely one of the darkest and subtly dramatic beginnings in all of music. The same subtlety alternates with a bombastic orchestral presence that is often the undoing of lesser recordings, but both pianist and orchestra are tied together in an umbilical twine so that one great interpretative heart beats in each. No doubt this is due to one of America’s finest conductors (and far and away the finest woman conductor in the world, in my opinion), Joann Falletta, who shows here a sublime understanding of Brahms, ever cognizant of the need to maintain discipline of tempo and dynamic contrast without spilling over into the realm of the overtly-sloppy romantic. This is a romantic interpretation, no question, but controlled and beautifully executed and maintained. Though the Virginia Symphony is obviously augmented here by “guests” as indicated in the program notes, they play with stunning alacrity, power, and warmth, and certainly win the “best of” award for orchestras in Virginia and surrounding states (or D.C., for that matter). There are many great recordings of the work, and you are always surprised to hear a new one that touches the absolute greatest, but this one does. It leaps to the top of the heap, maybe not surpassing the front rank, but certainly holding its own among them. A real shocker, a stunning achievement, and all should be proud. The sound, by the way, is vivid and bold with great presence, especially as it was done live. Krieger’s dexterous mannerisms are captured to the full.
Krieger finishes the disc with three of Brahms piano pieces, two from the late Op. 116 and one of the early Ballades. This little taste only whets my appetite for more, and I do hope that Krieger will consider returning to the studio to indulge us in more Brahms. You can get this CD from Krieger’s website listed above, or from the Virginia Symphony (www.virginiasymphony.org), though Krieger’s has it for two bucks cheaper at $15.00 as does Amazon.com. Highest recommendation!
— Steven Ritter
