Francesco Piemontesi's Brahms Project II: Concerto No. 1 and Op. 118

Pianist Francesco Piemontesi, conductor Manfred Honeck, and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig release their second Brahms recording, pairing the Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 with the Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118. The album, titled 'Brahms Project II', follows their earlier recording of Brahms' Second Piano Concerto and the Three Intermezzi, Op. 117. Piemontesi describes the First Concerto's opening as 'eruptive', with timpani like 'tectonic shocks' and strings in 'vast waves', contrasting with the intimate, personal nature of Op. 118. He notes that Honeck brings 'elegance, transparency, and a long symphonic breath' to the music. The recording is set for release on September 11, 2026, under the Pentatone label. Piemontesi, a Swiss pianist from Ticino, is known for his sensitivity and technical prowess, performing with top orchestras worldwide and at festivals from Salzburg to the BBC Proms. His upcoming concerts include performances of Brahms' First Concerto in Bern, Oslo, and other cities, as well as recitals of Schubert and Liszt in Zurich and Lyon.