Claves Record

Brahms at the Piano: Ballades, Intermezzos and Piano Pieces Performed by Marc Pantillon

Born into an eminent family of musicians in Neuchâtel (Switzerland), pianist Marc Pantillon does not appear here for the first time for Claves. After a recital of works by German composer Stephen Heller (CD 50-9805), he is featured today performing the music of another German romantic composer: Johannes Brahms, and some of the most beautiful jewels from his music for piano: the Ballades Op. 10, the Intermezzi Op. 117, and the Piano Pieces Op. 118. Marc Pantillon purposely waited before daring to record these absolute giants of lyricism, waiting for time to do its work, on his fingers, his ears and his temperament… on the whole of his musical being. The result, which bears the acoustical mark of the magnificent Salle de Musique in La Chaux-deFonds, a veritable temple for piano recordings, provides witness to these years of maturation: impressive!