Expert: Jim Frimmer - 3/26/2008

Question
Hi, I like to get advice for the best recording of Brahms' late piano works, especially Op. 117 - 119. Although they belong to my favourite piano works, I think that recordings are not numerous.

Answer
Try Julius Katchen (if you can find it still available), Radu Lupu, Rudolf Serkin (I know that he has recorded Op. 119), Walter Gieseking, Helene Grimaud, Arthur Rubinstein (one of the greatest Brahms players ever in my opinion-yes, he played a lot more than just Chopin!). I know that Richard Goode has done some of the later Brahms pieces (I have Opus 76 in my collection) as well as Emmanuel Ax (another great Brahms player).
 I am sure there are many recordings of these pieces. I am less familiar with the latest recordings by the younger performers.  What I usually do is google the composer's name, the composition and YouTube and I almost always get a good hit on video of a performance (usually more than one!).
 I love these pieces.  They are such a personal statement by the composer.  Have fun listening!