Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Schumann: Introduction and Allegro appassionato

"Idil Biret's playing seems perfunctory in the opening sections but most able in the final movements...slightly mechanical, never quite expressing either the grandness of the first movement or the poetry of the slow movement, but she does playfully dance about in the closing part. The orchestral accompaniment can range from burdensomely obscure to moodily transparent, depending I suppose, on the mood of the engineers. I found the accompanying Schumann piano work closer to my liking, being more concisely treated as well as striking a better balance between orchestra and soloist. At a low bargain price, this Brahms issue may seem a bargain." Sensible Sound