“The best compelling musicianship I've heard of the piano with Krystian Zimerman and from the orchestra with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Phil. Absolute expression of the soul and musicality.” Facebook · Hermann Uhde · 1 year ago Comparison to Other Recordings
: Sir Simon Rattle is a responsive partner, but his tendency to adjust tempos and clip phrase endings has been criticized for draining the work's inherent tension.
: Noted for its urgency and deep understanding of Brahms' symphonic scale.
: His playing is described as having "Schumannesque clarity" with exceptionally even trills and minimal use of the pedal. However, some reviewers find his approach "emotionally neutered" or "mincing" compared to more fiery interpretations.
: The reading is noted for its meticulous attention to detail and a shift between classical and romantic styles. Zimerman reportedly listened to over eighty recordings to prepare, leading to what some call "obsessive perfectionism" that focuses on individual moments rather than a cohesive overview.