Since Julius Katchen, nothing new was really out to drive that regenerates the interpretation of the piano works of Brahms. In concert, some UFO sometimes gave an intermezzo bis, period. Curious paradox, since Brahms certainly gave the most intimate, the most visceral and the most brilliant of himself in this area. Perahia, in recent years, follows a path close enough to that of Pollini. Virtuoso adored and devoted, he leans on a more personal repertoire, and he brings a more personal note. Long too wise (in my opinion, as Pollini seemed too cerebral) pushes this wisdom today to its limits (as Pollini, whose intellect is now accommodates an almost frenzied romanticism without really deviating from his original speech). Simply put, Perahia delivers a perfectly zen Brahms. We can challenge this bias. But it must be very deaf not shudder and cringe at the hearing of such phrasing, in which each agreement, but also and especially the least echo are excavated with an enveloping sensuality, to the depths of abyssal chasms. The anthology Katchen (Decca) remains obviously unavoidable. But Perahia has struck a blow and, by signing this historic recording, he enters through the front door to the Pantheon of the great masters of the piano. We can only pray that he renews such a feat.
