Homage to Brahms

A handsome recital paying homage to Brahms, with two-piano variations, late Intermezzi, the G major Violin Sonata, and the complete Liebeslieder Walzer.

Team of Pianists ensemble
Max Cooke piano
Robert Chamberlain piano
Darryl Coote piano
Marina Marsden violin
Kate Ladner soprano
Sally-Anne Russell alto
Michael Terry tenor
Warwick Fyfe bass

Johannes Brahms composer

Features the complete Liebeslieder Walzer Op. 52, the Sonata for Violin and Piano in G major Op. 78, Intermezzi Op. 116 Nos 2 and 4, and the Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op. 56b for two pianos. Robert Chamberlain, Max Cooke and Darryl Coote are joined by Marina Marsden (violin) and singers Kate Ladner, Sally-Anne Russell, Michael Terry and Warwick Fyfe.

The programme opens with the two-piano Haydn Variations, frames the Violin Sonata with two late Intermezzi for solo piano, and closes with the full set of eighteen love-song waltzes for piano duet and four voices. Recorded at Move Records Studio, Eaglemont, in December 1994 and June 1995.

Artists

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) was a German composer and pianist of the Romantic period. His music for piano, chamber ensemble, orchestra, and voice remains central to the concert repertoire.

Team of Pianists

The Melbourne-based Team of Pianists is acclaimed for high standards of artistry and professionalism, and has captivated audiences in Australia and overseas for nearly twenty years through solo, chamber and concerto performance.

Max Cooke

Max Cooke's playing anchors decades of Team of Pianists recordings: Mozart sonatas and fantasies, Brahms for four hands and two pianos, and Sculthorpe's piano music shaped with melodic clarity and rhythmic charm.

Robert Chamberlain

Robert Chamberlain studied piano in Melbourne with Max Cooke, continued in Vienna with David Lutz and Igo Koch, and worked at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, coaching with artists including John Perry, Peter Donohoe, János Starker and Loránd Fenyves.

Darryl Coote

Darryl Coote's piano playing favours natural, unforced line and clear colour, whether alone or in the closely matched ensemble work that defines the Team of Pianists. He moves between Chopin, Schubert and Brahms and the Australian repertoire with the same plain-speaking poise.

Marina Marsden

Marina Marsden plays violin with passion, fire and a spiritual tone. Her programmes pair early Grieg and Nielsen sonatas with Sculthorpe's lonely Irkanda I, Christian Heim's Transformation written for her, and the intimate chamber music of Margaret Sutherland.

Kate Ladner

Sally-Anne Russell

Sally-Anne Russell is an Australian mezzo-soprano who has sung opera, concert and recital repertoire across Australia and in the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

Michael Terry

Warwick Fyfe

Tracks

Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op. 56b Johannes Brahms

Theme: Chorale St. Antoni 2:29
Variation 1 1:06
Variation 2 1:04
Variation 3 1:45
Variation 4 1:35
Variation 5 1:01
Variation 6 1:23
Variation 7 2:47
Variation 8 :58
Finale 4:12
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 116, No. 2 Johannes Brahms 3:53

Sonata for Violin and Piano in G major, Op. 78 Johannes Brahms

Vivace ma non troppo 10:18
Adagio 7:15
Allegro molto moderato 8:09
Intermezzo in E major, Op. 116, No. 4 Johannes Brahms 4:53

Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52 Johannes Brahms

Rede Mädchen, allzu liebes 1:11
Am Gesteine rauscht die Flut :45
O die Frauen 1:11
Wie des Abends schöne Röte :42
Die grüne Hopfenranke 1:27
Ein kleiner hübscher Vogel 2:27
Wohl schön bewandt war es vorehe 1:23
Wenn so lind dein Auge mir 1:12
Am Donaustrande 2:08
O wie sanft die Quelle :52
Nein, es ist nicht auszukommen 1:03
Schlosser auf! :50
Vögelein durchrauscht die Luft :47
Sieh, wie ist die Welle klar 1:06
Nachtigall, sie singt so schön :58
Ein dunkeler Schacht ist Liebe 1:11
Nicht wandle mein Licht 2:11
Es bebet das Gesträuche 1:12

Performers

Team of Pianists
Max Cooke · tracks 11, 15–33
Robert Chamberlain · tracks 1–10, 12–14
Darryl Coote · all except tracks 11–15
Marina Marsden · tracks 12–14
Kate Ladner · tracks 16–33
Sally-Anne Russell · tracks 16–33
Michael Terry · tracks 16–33
Warwick Fyfe · tracks 16–33

Where to listen

Homage to Brahms is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Homage to Brahms is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.