Paul Lewis explores the world of late Brahms. The old master, far from growing more sedate, deploys a palette of infinite colours and sensibilities in his last four collections for solo piano. By turns tender and dazzling, intimate and tempestuous, these pieces appear to us as their composer’s final confidences, entrusted to a crepuscular diary.
JOHANNES BRAHMS [1833-1897] 7 Fantasies Op. 116 · 1. Capriccio in D minor / Ré mineur / d-Moll. Presto energico (2'38) · 2. Intermezzo in A minor / La mineur / a-Moll. Andante (3'38) · 3. Capriccio in G minor / Sol mineur / g-Moll. Allegro passionato (3'28) · 4. Intermezzo in E major / Mi majeur / E-Dur. Adagio (4'21) · 5. Intermezzo in E minor / Mi mineur / e-Moll. Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento (3'06) · 6. Intermezzo in E major / Mi majeur / E-Dur. Andantino teneramente (3'01) · 7. Capriccio in D minor / Ré mineur / d-Moll. Allegro agitato (2'35) 3 Intermezzi Op. 117 · 1. Intermezzo in E-flat major / Mi bémol majeur / Es-Dur. Andante moderato (5'05) · 2. Intermezzo in B-flat minor / Si bémol mineur / b-Moll. Andante non troppo e con molta espressione (4'47) · 3. Intermezzo in C-sharp minor / Do dièse mineur / cis-Moll. Andante con moto (5'59) 6 Pieces Op. 118 · 1. Intermezzo in A minor / La mineur / a-Moll. Allegro non assai, ma molto appassionato (1'51) · 2. Intermezzo in A major / La majeur / A-Dur. Andante teneramente (5'27) · 3. Ballade in G minor / Sol mineur / g-Moll. Allegro energico (3'25) · 4. Intermezzo in F minor / Fa mineur / f-Moll. Allegretto un poco agitato (2'48) · 5. Romanze in F major / Fa majeur / F-Dur. Andante (3'46) · 6. Intermezzo in E-flat minor / Mi bémol mineur / es-Moll. Andante, largo e mesto (5'19) 4 Pieces Op. 119 · 1. Intermezzo in B minor / Si mineur / h-Moll. Adagio (3'18) · 2. Intermezzo in E minor / Mi mineur / e-Moll. Andantino un poco agitato (5'24) · 3. Intermezzo in C major / Do majeur / C-Dur. Grazioso e giocoso (1'45) · 4. Rhapsody in E-flat major / Mi bémol majeur / Es-Dur. Allegro risoluto (5'16)
