Julius Katchen - The Brahms Recordings On Decca (17cd Boxset)

A 17-CD box set commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the American pianist who died young, featuring a collection of landmark recordings by the composer with whom he was deeply associated To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of American pianist Julius Katchen (1926–1969) in 2026, Decca is releasing *The Brahms Recordings*. This 17-CD box set is a Limited edition. From the 1950s through the 1960s, Katchen was one of Decca’s leading instrumentalists. His renditions of Brahms’s music—combining powerful technique, rigorous intellect, and poetic imagination—became synonymous with his name. Recorded for Decca between 1949 and 1968, these performances—a blend of exceptional technique, profound interpretation, and an intuitive affinity for Brahms’s style—have remained the benchmark for over half a century, standing as immortal, monumental recordings. They capture Katchen as a majestic concerto soloist, an energetic chamber music partner, and, above all, a brilliant and inspired solo pianist. When he passed away at the young age of 42, Decca’s tribute described him as “one of the finest interpreters of Brahms of his generation.” It had been less than 20 years since he had burst onto the international scene like a comet with his recording of Brahms’s Sonata in E-flat minor. In fact, he had made his recording debut just a few months earlier with *Variations on a Theme by Handel*, and went on to record this work again in 1958 and 1962. This set brings those three recordings together for the first time, revealing how his pianism matured throughout his brief career without ever losing his overwhelming virtuosity. The Cello Sonata No. 1 with János Starker and the two Clarinet Sonatas with French clarinetist Michel Portal—who passed away this past February (2026)—are previously unreleased recordings making their debut here. *Please note that even in collections billed as “complete recordings,” there may occasionally be missing tracks.