Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2

I need to start doing a better job of tagging my posts. I could have sworn I posted previously about the Brahms second piano concerto. But I can't seem to find it. So forgive me if I'm repeating myself.

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This week the Seattle Symphony was doing "a week of Brahms." A bit of overstatement--but still two all-Brahms programs in a single week. Both featured Vladimir Feltsman as soloist. We went Friday night and last night.

The highlight of the program for me was Brahm's second piano concerto. Interestingly, it's four movements (like a symphony) rather than three movements typical of most concerti. It is stunningly beautiful piece, particularly the third movement Andante, which features solo cello.

Here is a short excerpt of the Andante:

This, of course, was played by our resident rock-star principal cellist Joshua Roman. It is a serious treat to hear him featured. We had seen him previously preform this concerto with Andre Watts, last February, when his performance was equally remarkable.

I know some long-time symphony goers grow weary of the more standard, popular repertoire, but personally I never tire of hearing Brahms in the symphony hall.

Update: Classical in Seattle has a review of both concerts here.