Brahms’ Requiem played on the piano? It may seem strange today, but back in the 19th century there was a huge market for piano scores of symphonic music, operas, and vocal works. This was because, before the days of television the Western world was full of thousands of competent pianists–your mother, your sister, the guy next door–who clamored for sophisticated music with which to entertain friends and relatives. Instead of watching the Simpsons, people actually would spend evenings sitting around playing instruments and singing together.
This is a fascinating recording, not only because of the rarity of hearing such a monumental and well-known choral work performed entirely on a piano, but also for the unique way it forces you to listen. You hear the harmonic flow and internal lines differently; you notice the harmonies, thematic devices, and dynamic changes in isolation from the color added by words and voices.
These two technically impressive pianists often go against the expected legato phrasing, notably in the tender fifth movement (“Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit”), and instead take up a deliberate, punchy, metronomic plodding. It’s certainly well-articulated, but it’s jarring and just plain inappropriate. Other sections–the fugal ending to the third movement, the middle of the sixth–are very exciting and adapt well to these players’ percussive style. They really get it right in the fourth movement, “How lovely is Thy dwelling place”, which is truly lovely. The sound is full-bodied if a little hard-edged. Although it will never replace the real Requiem, this version is a fun and occasionally enlightening side-trip, especially for listeners who already know the work.
