András Schiff Brahms Intermezzo in A major op.118 no.2 (Encore) 

I personally prefer this piece slightly slower than his performance, but I find no fault with his interpretation and certainly not his musicality. I was moved as deeply from this performance as I have, which is my 'gold standard' for artistic greatness. As to your question about his tempo, everyone who is as skilled , talented and educated as Sir Andras Schiff is, has license to interpret music how they see fit, which is always based on study and understanding of the music they have chosen to share with us. I have heard him say that he is open to discussion about musical differences and opinions other than his, but they need to have supportive evidence and not just phrased as "I like the way it feels". Even though I might disagree with his tempo, he more than makes up for that minor difference with his purposeful use of rubato and phrasing. When this beautiful piece is performed as he does in this video, I cry every time I hear it. He understands, interprets and tells Brahm's musical story for us to hear, and I am grateful for having seen this video. Thank you for posting this!

My usual go-to rendition for this piece is Radu Lupu's slower version, which I always find nostalgic and pensive, but as I am listening to this by Sir Schiff, actually I realize I don't mind the faster tempo. The way that he brings out the main melody, together with his efficient use of the sustain pedal, goes well with the speed he sets, which adds crystal-clear purity and graceful fluidity to this romantic intermezzo. Chapeau!

One of the greatest masterpiece played by one of the greatest interpreter! The audience barely even moved, everyone there was deeply touched. Seems makes the applause unnecessary if one wants to stay in heaven forever

I like how the music just flows into the heart, effortlessly

What a lyrical interpretation of this piece! His tempo gives it a different character as so many others play this one quite a bit slower.

This piece gets me every time.

Absolutely beautiful, it’s not too fast at all. The maestro knows best.

Just perfect! And you’re right: Sublime. Thank you.

An absolutely beautiful piece of music.

Tears lingering in my eyes since the first note drops.

Actually I have noticed that Mr. Schiff always likes to mention in his masterclasses/lectures that people nowadays usually play andante too slowly (e.g. in Beethoven sonata 30, the last movement), not in a walking speed. In this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oiVRwRGc_L8.html (27:17) Arthur Rubinstein also wanted the student to play this piece in a quicker tempo. It is not suffering, he said.

Beautiful...

It's andante, not adagio or largo or lento. It's definitely not too fast!

Brilliant! Intricate!

did he have a plane to catch? "andante TENERAMENTE" (tenderly..)

Truly a spectacular performance, just a bit too fast for my preference. I’m currently learning this one, and it’s a heavily expressive piece, which Mr Schiff clearly demonstrates here.

👏

The whole piece is really beautiful (and I love his interpretation).The section starting at 2:47 never ceases to affect me.

if you all please listen to Dominic Cheli play the same piece at a different speed, not forgetting sometimes comparison is the source of unhappiness. No judgement her.

Tempo is not just about how fast or slow the piece should be played, more often it’s about the feelings and spiritual sides of the piece. For me, this feels too rush for Andante. Nonetheless, the melodic lines are very pretty and chords’ voicing is really good.

These are subjective impressions, so I'm not arguing with anyone here who likes the tempo Schiff has chosen. But to me, it says "let's get this over with."

😢

Three comments: 1. I LOVE the tempo, finally someone who understands this piece has been DRUG to DEATH! It's about love and passion, NOT sorrow! 2. The inner voices in the repeat of the 2nd part is spectacular because so few pay attention! 3. However the last section continuing to the end is disappointing because it could have so much more to say than a drudgery march off to war! I've never been a great fan of Shiff, but he comes close on this one.

This piece needs to MOVE, most pianists meander and lose the sense of forward momentum that Brahms intended. Schiff does it brilliantly!

역시, 거장

Послушайте Погорелича!

Lars vogt is the best pianist

Why is he rushing?

まじでシフのどこがいいのか全くわからん

브람스 118-2 는 누가 뭐래도 Radu LUPU ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1h4Re5WBEAc.html 이걸 들어야 …. 내감성이 움직입니다 Schiff 는 아니네요

His piano sounds too metallic

Pizzaland non è interessante.

not a good performance on this piece. the phrasing and rubato was really lacking.