Album Review: Brahms Concerto per pianoforte e orchestra n° 2 & Variazioni su un tema di Haydn by Claudio Arrau, Carlo Maria Giulini, and the Philharmonia Orchestra
Alright, let’s dive into this one. The album Brahms Concerto per pianoforte e orchestra n° 2 in si bemolle maggiore op. 83 paired with Variazioni su un tema di Haydn op. 56a is a total knockout. It’s performed by Claudio Arrau on piano, Carlo Maria Giulini conducting, and the Philharmonia Orchestra bringing their A-game. Released under The Classic Voice label, this recording is one of those gems that grabs you by the ears and doesn’t let go.
First off, I gotta talk about the second movement of the Piano Concerto No. 2. If you’re not already familiar with it, buckle up—it’s a ride. Arrau’s touch here is just… wow. There’s this moment where the strings swell behind his cascading piano lines, and it feels like you’re floating but also grounded at the same time. Weird combo, right? But that’s what makes it stick in my head. You can hear how much he feels every note without overdoing it. It’s not flashy; it’s deep. Like, soul-deep. Honestly, listening to this track feels like having a heart-to-heart chat with someone who really gets you.
Then there’s the Variations on a Theme by Haydn. Track four, specifically—I keep coming back to it. The theme itself is simple, almost playful, but as they layer on variations, things get wild. One minute it’s all elegant and refined, the next it’s bursting with energy like a kid running around after too much candy. Giulini and the orchestra nail the balance between control and freedom here. And when those brass hits come in later? Chills. Straight-up chills.
What’s cool about this album is that it doesn’t try too hard to impress you. It just is. Arrau’s playing has this raw honesty to it, like he’s inviting you into his living room instead of performing in some fancy concert hall. The recording quality isn’t perfect (it’s got that slightly warm, vintage vibe), but honestly? That adds to its charm. It feels real, y’know?
Here’s the thing: classical music sometimes gets a bad rap for being stiff or boring. But albums like this remind me why people fall in love with it. This isn’t background noise; it’s storytelling. Every note has purpose.
Oh, and here’s a random thought—listening to this record makes me want to learn piano again. Not because I think I could ever play like Arrau (spoiler alert: I can’t), but because it makes me wanna try. Isn’t that kinda beautiful? Music so good it pushes you to dream bigger, even if you’ll probably fail. Anyway, if you haven’t heard this yet, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. Trust me, your ears will thank you.
