The latest addition to the MSO Live Series, ABC Classics proudly presents Brahms’ Piano Concertos No.1 & 2. The only piano concertos Brahms composed are performed sumptuously here by soloist Garrick Ohlsson and the MSO under the baton of esteemed conductor, Tadaaki Otaka.

Although written early in his life, Concerto No.1 is a work of grandeur and maturity. Revolutionary and perceived as totally unorthodox for its time, the Concerto’s challenging technicality is perfectly handled here by Ohlsson.

In 1853, Brahms met his idol, Robert Schumann. Eugenie Schumann (Robert and Clara Schumann’s sixth child) left a vivid description of the 20-year-old’s first visit to their household:

‘…The young man sat down at the piano. He had barely played a few measures when my father interrupted and ran out saying, “Please wait a moment, I must call my wife.”’

Concerto No.2 followed 22 years later, and is a work of equal scale; yet surpassed it’s predecessor for accessability as it was lauded as a great success from the time it was first heard. To this day, the Concerto’s retain their spellbinding appeal.