Deeply dedicated Brahms' aficionados know the German master's transcription of his Piano Quintet, Op. 34, as the Sonata for two pianos Opus 34b. But how many of them know the transcription for two pianos of Schumann's Piano Quintet, which may or may not be by Brahms? Scholars' best guesses say the transcription is possibly, maybe even probably, Brahms' revision of a preliminary version by Clara Schumann, the composer's wife and widow, but they acknowledge that we'll never know for sure. Whatever the truth, the fact is that whoever did the arrangement knew what he/she was doing. With all the parts recast between both players, the transcription is both faithful to the score and well adapted for the ensemble, and the result is certainly in the same class with Brahms' transcription of his Piano Quintet.
In this recording by Spanish pianist
Begona Uriarte and German pianist Karl-Hermann Mrongovius (aka, the Duo Uriarte-Mrongovius), both transcriptions get passionately committed if not always technically polished performances. In the faster pages of the faster movements -- the stormy climax of the development in Brahms' opening Allegro non troppo and the heavier passages of the fugue in Schumann's closing Allegro ma non troppo -- the Duo misses handfuls of notes. But when heard with their strong attack and ardent delivery, the missing notes only add to the excitement. Though the Duo are best known for their advocacy of modern and contemporary music, their performances here bristle with the kind of dedication usually reserved for world premieres. Recorded in close, atmospheric digital sound, this disc should be heard by every deeply dedicated Brahms aficionado.