AllMovie

Recorded live at the ancient Herodes Atticus Odeon in Athens 2004, this was the first European Concert that Sir Simon Rattle conducted in his new post as chief conductor of one of the most important orchestras of all times. Since 1991, when the Berlin Philharmonic gave their first European Concert, this annual musical summit in important cultural cities has become a brand name for excellence. This concert also represents the first musical encounter between Rattle and world-famous pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. This all Brahms programme features the wonderful first piano concerto with the romantic Adagio which Brahms wrote in reverence for Clara Schumann and Schoenberg’s successful arrangement of the first Piano Quartet for orchestra. With overwhelming views of the nearby Acropolis and a spectacular scenery, the state-of-the-art recording brings home a true European musical highlight including a behind the scenes feature bonus film.