Album: Brahms, Piano Concerto No 1 / Hungarian Dances – Angelich / Jarvi (Virgin)

It's debatable whether the world needs another recording of Brahms's "First Piano Concerto". But this beautifully paced collaboration between Nicholas Angelich and Paavo Jarvi perfectly catches the balance of intimacy and grandeur.

As closely and evenly matched as a duet, with excellent playing from Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra's principal oboist and cellist, the concerto is paired with a sparky performance of the "Hungarian Dances". Muscular phrasing, a sly dash of wit, lashings of rubato and some thrillingly percussive articulation make up for a very slightly over-bright sound from the piano.

Pick of the Album: The enigmatic 'Hungarian Dance No.10' in A minor

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