Catalogue

Summary:

“Late Brahms that demonstrates the pianist’s supreme control and sensitivity” – Gramophone

“it is the poetic touch that matters here, and he clearly possesses that in spades, as the opening piece of Op 117, the beautifully gauged dying cadence of Op 116, No 6, the rich colours of Op 118, No 2, and the direct, unhurried simplicity of the first piece of Op 119 all testify” – The Sunday Times

“There’s much to admire in Groh’s playing of these four sets … especially the beautifully judged palette of keyboard colours with which he shades these exquisite pieces. Groh’s playing has a musicality and honesty” – The Guardian

Markus Groh’s AVIE debut was a towering account of Liszt’s B Minor Sonata coupled with the B-A-C-H Fantasy and Totentanz (AV 2097), exhibiting “transcendental technique, power in reserve, an instinctive grasp of structure and the ability to take risks,” according to Classic FM Magazine. He follows with an enlightening contrast, the complete late piano works by Brahms, Op. 116 – 119, in which he once again displays supreme control combined with utmost sensitivity.

Tracklist:

JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833–1897)

3 Intermezzi, Op. 117
1. I Andante moderato, Più Adagio, Un poco più Andante (5:16)
2. II Andante non troppo e con molta espressione, Più Adagio (5:00)
3. III Andante con moto (6:33)

7 Fantasien, Op. 116
4. I Capriccio, Presto energico (2:11)
5. II Intermezzo, Andante, Non troppo presto, Andante (3:41)
6. III Capriccio, Allegro passionato, Un poco meno Allegro, Tempo I (3:06)
7. IV Intermezzo, Adagio (5:23)
8. V Intermezzo, Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento (3:02)
9. VI Intermezzo, Andantino teneramente (3:25)
10. VII Capriccio, Allegro agitato (2:11)

6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118
11. I Intermezzo, Allegro non assai, ma molto appassionato (1:51)
12. II Intermezzo, Andante teneramente, Più lento, Tempo I (5:37)
13. III Ballade, Allegro energico (3:37)
14. IV Intermezzo, Allegretto un poco agitato (2:32)
15. V Romanze, Andante, Allegretto grazioso, Tempo I (3:54)
16. VI Intermezzo, Andante, largo e mesto (5:45)

4 Klavierstücke, Op. 119
17. I Intermezzo, Adagio (4:17)
18. II Intermezzo, Andantino un poco agitato, Andantino grazioso, Tempo I (4:57)
19. III Intermezzo, Grazioso e giocoso (1:39)
20. IV Rhapsodie, Allegro risoluto (5:08)

Total duration: 79:05

Markus Groh, piano

Recorded May 2007, Reitstadel-Neumart/Oberpfalz, Germany
Producer: Elmar Zilberman
Sound engineer and editing: Stephan Schellmann