“Garrick Ohlsson and Slatkin (longstanding musical comrades) conspired a magnificent traversal of Brahms’s equally magnificent First Piano Concerto… The orchestral opening was trenchant, Ohlsson introducing the piano so naturally (his focus is always on the music he plays; no spurious look-at-me antics), pianist, conductor, and orchestra (wonderful woodwinds), unfolding the first movement expansively – everything fitted – a spaciousness, and also an intimacy, that informed the Adagio, here sublime, and often with exquisitely listener-embracing quiet dynamics. From transcendence to the earthly vigour of the Finale – not rushed though, Brahms adds non troppo to the Allegro marking, perfectly observed here – to fulfill a rendition that compelled attention, drew one in, and illuminated the music from the inside, Ohlsson’s virtuosity serving the music, Slatkin’s DSO a model of collegiate sensitivity and involvement.”

Classical Source