Wilhelm Backhaus, Karl Böhm & Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Brahms Piano Concerto No.2

Esoteric Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition 180g Vinyl LP!
Remastered from the Original Master Tapes!
Recorded at Sofiensaal, Vienna in April 1967.
Wilhelm Backhaus (1884-1969) is considered one of the most important German pianists of the last century. He was 83 years young when, in April 1967, this outstanding Brahms Piano Concerto was recorded with conductor Karl Böhm and the Vienna Philharmonic in the legendary Sofiensaal in Vienna, Austria. "Classics Today" correctly assesses the significance of the original Decca recording: "Böhm was in a particularly happy phase of his long career, and the Vienna Philharmonic played with that special combination of warmth and effortless precision that can so easily turn into carelessness under a less disciplined conductor. The result deserves its classic status. Backhaus plays without any trace of sensationalism, but with unerring insight. His ability to illuminate the inner lines of the music and the clarity of his voice leading in the slow movement of the Brahms Concerto lead the listener through this immensely long work with sovereign ease." Thanks to the loving remastering, the new LP edition by Esoteric, pressed on high-quality 180 gram vinyl, shines in fresh audiophile splendour - a must for classical music lovers and fans of the pianist of the century!
Classical masterpiece collection
The Esoteric's "Masterpiece Collection Series" brings back superb performance humankind created by using Esoteric's high-end equipment, under supervision by Mr.Ohmachi.
The vinyl records of the "Masterpiece Collection" have been reissued by re-mastering the original master, exclusive for the vinyl records.
New Mastering Environment
The mastering process employs the newly established the "Esoteric Mastering" system, including Esoteric's top-of-the-line equipment "Master Sound Discrete DAC" and "Master Sound Discrete Clock." In addition, the Mexcel cables employed to achieve flawless high quality sound as the master data.
Re-mastering
Date: June, 2025 Esoteric Mastering Center
Producer: Motoaki Ohmachi (Esoteric Mastering Center)
Associated Producer: Jo Yoshida (Esoteric Mastering Center)
Mastering Engineer: Masaya Tohno (Esoteric Mastering Center)
Cutting Engineer: Katsutoshi Kitamura (Mixer'S Lab)

Features:

• Limited Edition One-Time Pressing
• Esoteric Masterpiece Collection
• 180g Vinyl LP
• Digitally Remastered Using Esoteric Mastering
• Analog Cutting by Mr. Katsutoshi Kitamura at Mixer's Lab in Tokyo
• Made in Japan

Musicians:

• Wilhelm Backhaus, piano
• Emanuel Brabec, violoncello
• Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Karl Böhm, conductor

Selections:

Side A
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Piano Concerto No.2 In B flat major, Op.83
1. First Movement: Allegro Non Troppo
2. Second Movement: Allegro Appassionato
Side B
1. Third Movement: Andante - Più Adagi
2. Fourth Movement: Allegretto Grazioso - Un Poco Più Presto