Brahms: Variations (Olga Kern)

Chronique

One could readily believe that young Russian pianist Olga Kern would be an extraordinary Rachmaninov/Tchaikovsky player as one could easily accept that she would also be an outstanding Chopin player. After all, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Chopin are now and have always been fundamental elements in any Russian pianist's musical education. But none of Kern's earlier superlative Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, or Chopin recordings could prepare listeners for her 2007 Brahms disc. Coupling the German composer's Handel Variations, Hungarian Song Variations, and both books of his Paganini Variations took Kern straight past Brahms' more popular and easier works, the brooding early Ballades and ruminative late Intermezzos, and deep into his hardest and least overtly romantic works. But with her technique blazing, her tone shining, and her fierce temperament fully engaged, Kern tackles Brahms' music with the same "take-no-prisoners" virtuosity that made her Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Chopin recordings so successful. Plus, the added challenge of Brahms' rigorously contrapuntal music focuses Kern's concentration and gives her playing a sharper edge. Recorded in virtually real digital sound at Skywalker Sound by producer Robina G. Young, this disc will thrill both Kern fans and Brahms fans.
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