BRAHMS: Ballades, Op. 10; Fantasies, Op. 116; Hungarian Dances 1-10
Rebecca Penneys, piano
Fleur De Son 57938 (Qualiton) 68 minutes

Los Angeles-born pianist Rebecca Penneys attributes her life-long attraction to Brahms' music to hearing, in her early teens, the primitive (1889) Edison cylinder of the composer speaking and playing an excerpt from his First Hungarian Dance. Ms. Penneys' affinity for Brahms has been translated through her mind, heart, and fingers into an enchanting recital of some of his finest solo works. All through this outstanding recital she brings to the music the bold sonorities and architectural integrity that are the hallmarks of idiomatic Brahms playing.

Arnold Schoenberg thought of Brahms as a forward-looking genius, and Ms. Penneys brings us the magic and majesty, the nobility and sensitivity in these profound and exquisite miniatures. At 21, the composer of the four Ballades  was already a full-fledged master. There is no mistaking his unique harmonic language and special sound world. These stand among his most challenging keyboard works, and they are presented here with the passion and ardor of the young man who created them.

The Opus 116 Fantasies (1892) come from the period when Brahms wrote his last solo piano pieces. Each reflects on a lifetime's experience, and many are tinged with the sadness that often accompanies old age. These are fresh accounts, vibrant and passionate. Some may find the pianist's tempos too brisk for comfort; but her clear articulation and rhythmic flexibility, combined with her intense advocacy, add up to a stimula reviews-penneys-steinway-wagner.htm reviews-penneys-steinway-pitcher.htm reviews-penneys-steinway-becker.htm reviews-penneys-steinway-barela.htm ting listening experience.

Brahms arranged the first ten of his 21 Hungarian Dances (originally for piano four hands) for solo piano. They are brilliant and technically challenging; Ms. Penneys' vibrant, immaculate readings are filled with joyful high spirits. The sound (Eastman Theater in Rochester) is full and warm.