Brahms: 6 Klavierstücke, Op.118 (Volodos)

There are times when I find myself lacking the words to describe how great a performance really is. This is one of those times, when a truly superlative performance unfolds one revelation after the next. Volodos carves every phrase, every transition and every switch of color with the utmost sensitivity and musicality.

No.1 immediately gets your attention thanks to Volodos' pefectly judged pauses and immediacy of expression.

The beautifully languid lines of the infamous No.2 are carried with the right amount of subterranean intensity and vocal projection. In the middle section, Volodos takes advantage of the repeat to switch the spotlight onto the inner voice (04:54). The performance is backed up by the sweet generous tone of a very well-prepared piano, a feat which is also attested by the clear timbral differentiation when the una corda pedal is being used (05:18).

In Volodos' hands, the martial rhythm of No.3 has shape and never sounds ponderous. The whole performance is informed by very tasteful phrasing and accentuation.

No.4's triplet patterns sound like an inner conversation, a quiet conflict that erupts spectacularly in the last section. The harmonic ruminations of the middle section are particularly heartrending. Also notice the stupendous "subito piano" effect that Volodos achieves at the very end (14:19).

Beautifully voiced chords and magnificently airy trills in the middle section make for a very alluring account of No.5.

No.6 receives one of the most gripping and hypnotic performances I've ever heard. The "perdendo" indication (which roughly translates to "getting lost") right at the begining has simply never been executed better (19:06). The rather broad tempo allows the spacey harmonies to really speak, so much so that the music never seems to drag.

00:00 Intro
00:13 No.1: Intermezzo in A minor
02:10 No.2: Intermezzo in A major
08:29 No.3: Ballade in G minor
11:52 No.4: Intermezzo in F minor
14:38 No.5: Romance in F major
18:50 No.6: Intermezzo in E-flat minor

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