Ambitious in scale, highly original in both content and design, these popular works exhibit Brahms's mastery of the concerto and his role as heir to the classical tradition of Mozart and Beethoven. Both works are marked by drama, elegance, rich orchestral textures, and virtuoso writing for the soloist.
Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15, is a mighty work, featuring a theatrically powerful first movement, a tranquil adagio, and a spirited finale. Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83, is a majestic piece that includes a notable departure from the classical tradition: the addition of a...