Brahms: Fantasien, Op. 116, Intermezzi, Op. 117 & Klavierstücke, Op. 118 Hortense Cartier-Bresson

• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897): 7 Fantasies, Op. 116:
• 1 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: I. Capriccio in D Minor. Presto energico 02:35
• 2 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: II. Intermezzo in A Minor. Andante 03:42
• 3 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: III. Capriccio in G Minor. Allegro passionato 03:18
• 4 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: IV. Intermezzo in E Major. Adagio 04:45
• 5 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: V. Intermezzo in E Minor. Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento 03:08
• 6 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: VI. Intermezzo in E Major. Andantino teneramente 03:14
• 7 7 Fantasies, Op. 116: VII. Capriccio in D Minor. Allegro agitato 02:25
• 3 intermezzi, Op. 117:
• 8 3 intermezzi, Op. 117: I. Intermezzo in E-Flat Major. Andante moderato 05:09
• 9 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117: II. Intermezzo in B-Flat Minor. Andante non troppo e con molto espressione 04:16
• 10 3 intermezzi, Op. 117: III. Intermezzo in C-Sharp Minor. Andante con moto 05:28
• 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118:
• 11 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: I. Intermezzo in A Minor. Allegro non assai, ma molto appassionato 01:54
• 12 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: II. Intermezzo in A Major. Andante teneramente 05:58
• 13 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: III. Ballade in G Minor. Allegro energico 03:37
• 14 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: IV. Intermezzo in F Minor. Allegretto un poco agitato 02:58
• 15 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: V. Romanze in F Major. Andante - Allegretto grazioso 04:02
• 16 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: VI. Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor. Andante, largo e mesto 05:22
• Total Runtime 01:01:51

Info for Brahms: Fantasien, Op. 116, Intermezzi, Op. 117 & Klavierstücke, Op. 118

Hortense Cartier-Bresson is a major figure of the French piano as the teacher of numerous famous pianists. She offers here, in a rare interpretation, the substance of her musical knowledge.

Exploring Brahms’ late piano pieces, this recording deploys a three-part succession of musical and poetic miniatures. All of them reveal and reflect, one after another, the composer’s intimate imagination. Sometimes spirited, sometimes enigmatic or contemplative, they unfurl in the mists of Brahms’ musical arcane, fed by his own life experiences.

The intellectual and musical maturity that emerges from this interpretation echoes the inner depths these works require.

Hortense Cartier-Bresson gives her most masterful lesson as she finally reveals the secret of the last Brahms.

Hortense Cartier-Bresson, piano

Hortense Cartier-Bresson
enrolled at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris at the age of 15, where she obtained no less than five “premiers prix”. Later admitted to the “cycle de perfectionnement”, she met with the great Hungarian pianist Gÿorgy Sebök and was invited to study in his class at the University of Indiana in Bloomington (USA).

Rapidly noticed as “one of the most remarkable pianists of her generation”, she obtained the 3d prize at the Liszt-Bartok Contest of 1981 in Budapest (1st prize not awarded). Thereafter, a brilliant career started leading to recitals or solo performances on the international stage with great orchestras such as the Orchestre de Paris directed by Ricardo Chailly and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra directed by Antal Dorati.

She was appointed to a piano professorship at the Conservatoire de Paris in 2011.

A singular and passionate musician, Hortense Cartier-Bresson approaches music of all kinds with the highest integrity. She is especially appreciated as a chamber musician. She has played with many others including Roger Muraro, Raphaël Oleg, Ayako Tanaka, Philippe Graffin, Pierre Fouchenneret, François Salque, Henri Demarquette, Xavier Gagnepain and the Quatuor Ébène.

Booklet for Brahms: Fantasien, Op. 116, Intermezzi, Op. 117 & Klavierstücke, Op. 118