Hardy Rittner - Brahms: Early Piano Works, Vol. 1 (2008)

Tracklist

01. Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 2: I. Allegro non troppo ma energico
02. Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 2: II. Andante con espressione
03. Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 2: III. Scherzo. allegro
04. Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 2: IV. Finale. Introduzione-Allegro non troppo e rubato
05. Variations on a Theme By Robert Schumann in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 9
06. Ballades, Op. 10, No. 1: Andante in D Minor
07. Ballades, Op. 10, No. 2: Andante in D Major
08. Ballades, Op. 10, No. 3: Intermezzo in B Minor
09. Ballades, Op. 10, No. 4: Andante con moto in B Major

Young pianist Hardy Rittner performs these very early piano pieces by Brahms. Schumann heard Brahms performing these pieces and the rapturous reception he gave them made the young composer famous over night. Rittner plays on a Johann Baptist Streicher Piano dated 1851 from the Collection by Gert Hecher, Vienna. So well preserved and cared for is this instrument that it still has many of its original strings!

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