My enthusiasm for Brahms goes back to my youth and the piano concertos are largely responsible
for it writes Sir András Schiff in a liner note for this remarkable new recording. It finds
the great pianist reassessing interpretive approaches to Brahms in the inspired company of the
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. To fully bring out the characteristics of Brahmss music
Schiffs choice of instrument is a Blüthner piano built in Leipzig around 1859 the year in
which the D minor concerto was premiered. The historically informed Orchestra of the Age of
Enlightenment plays with the flexibility attitude and responsiveness of a chamber music
ensemble as they work without a conductor listening attentively to each other. András Schiffs
collaboration with the orchestra in a series of concerts was widely acclaimed: Brahmss First
Piano Concerto was reborn thanks to the OAEs incisive playing and András Schiffs characterful
phrasing The Guardian exclaimed. The musicians mutual wish to recapture the experience led to
the present double album recorded in London in December 2019. An extensive CD booklet includes
liner notes by András Schiff and Peter Gülke in English and German.
