Johannes Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2; Intermezzi Op. 117 (Francesco Piemontesi)

Information

Composer: Johannes Brahms

• Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 83
• 3 intermezzi, Op. 117

Francesco Piemontesi, piano

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Manfred Honeck, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: PentaTone

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This recording unites pianist Francesco Piemontesi, conductor Manfred Honeck, and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig for a compelling interpretation of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The performance highlights the work’s blend of symphonic breadth, virtuosic brilliance, and intimate interplay between piano and orchestra. Paired with the concerto are Brahms’s Three Intermezzi, Op. 117—lyrical, introspective miniatures that reveal the composer’s private world. Marking Piemontesi’s fifth release with PENTATONE, following acclaimed albums of Schubert, Bach, Schoenberg, Ravel, Messiaen, and Liszt, the recording confirms his reputation as a deeply thoughtful pianist whose artistry balances sensitivity, passion, and intellectual depth.

Francesco Piemontesi (b. 1983, Locarno) is a Swiss pianist celebrated for his refined artistry and wide-ranging repertoire. A student of Arie Vardi and later collaborator of Alfred Brendel, he gained international recognition after major competition successes, including the 2007 Queen Elisabeth Competition. Acclaimed for his Schubert interpretations and performances of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Liszt, his repertoire also spans Bach, Handel, Ravel, Debussy, Bartók, Messiaen, and contemporary composers like Unsuk Chin. Piemontesi appears worldwide with top orchestras and conductors, performing in leading halls and festivals. His award-winning recordings include Schubert’s sonatas, Debussy’s Préludes, Mozart concertos, and Liszt’s Transcendental Études.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz