The great Hungarian pianist Géza Anda (1921-1976) was a central figure in the Deutsche Grammophon catalogue during his most glorious period, the 1960s, when he made two recordings of Brahms' Second Concerto a few years apart. One in September 1967, reissued many times, with the Berliner Philharmoniker and their musical director Herbert von Karajan. The other, here with Ferenc Fricsay, also with the Berliner Philharmoniker, which was recorded between the 5th and 12th of May 1960, and is less well known.
Discophiles often prefer the version with Fricsay, with its unforgettably tender lyricism and feverish, pathos-free romanticism, which takes us to the very heart of this immense symphony-concerto. Absolute evidence, no doubt due to the perfect understanding and the real friendship that existed between the conductor and the pianist. Just listen, as each phrase breathes. Without doubt one of the most moving versions of Brahms' Second Concerto, alongside those of Arrau, Richter-Haaser (with a freer Karajan on that occasion), Serkin/Ormandy (CBS) and of course a few others.
Bartók's Rhapsodie is another incunabulum of the discography, often reissued with the Hungarian composer’s three concertos: for their timeless references, for their poetry, and their natural understanding of the Bartokian universe. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz