Gregory Partain - Johannes Brahms - Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, no. 1

“In the Brahms variations, tempo relationships and transitions emerge in a seamless, cumulative arc. Appropriately, Partain's tone fills out and opens up: notice how he achieves a beautiful legato phrasing through fingers alone, scarcely touching the sustain pedal." (Gramophone) "Gregory Partain is a gifted pianist, and every item is intelligently and sympathetically played. Partain's strengths show to best advantage in the group of Scarlatti Sonatas, especially the beautifully judged account of the pensive F minor, and in a thoughtful, sensitively shaped and expressive rendition of Brahms' rarely heard Original Theme variations, to which Partain imparts a cumulative power I have seldom heard brought out to such vivid effect.” (BBC Music Magazine; November 2007) “[In the Brahms, the] tempo relationships and transitions emerge in a seamless, cumulative arc…notice how he achieves a beautiful legato phrasing through fingers alone, scarcely touching the sustain pedal." (Gramophone; December 2007) “Huge block chords and otherwise muddy harmonies become lucid and songful under Partain’s sympathetic fingers. Partain moves this often stodgy, consciously pedagogical work forward, savoring the Brahms penchant for overlapping or contrary motives.” (Audiophile Audition; October 2007) Available on Amazon MSR records http://www.msrcd.com/