Search - Johannes Brahms, Barbara Nissman :: Brahms by Nissman

Clean and impassioned Brahms

I. Dando | Christchurch, New Zealand | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Barbara Nissman proves herself the ideal pianist to scythe through the heavy Brahmsian chordal jungle so cleanly and connect it all so coherently with an expressive legato pedalling. She combines clarity with Byronic passion in the youthful ardour of Brahms's Sonata Op 2 and Scherzo Op 4. I haven't heard better interpretations of the two Rhapsodies Op 79 than Nissman's. Her Op 76 eight miniatures have a consummate reflectiveness of mood and clarity in those with rhythmic complexity such as no 8. The mix of familiar with lesser known such as the early sonata and scherzo give a refreshing face to this programme.



Ian Dando. New Zealand Listener"