8 Piano Pieces, Op. 76
2 Rhapsodies, Op. 79
7 Fantasien, Op. 116
3 Intermezzos, Op. 117
6 Piano Pieces, Op. 118
4 Piano Pieces, Op. 119

I've been a pianist and organist for over 50 years now, which means that I've been reading music all that time. Well, you reach a point in time when you can read and decipher any score instantly, and conceptualize it clearly in your mind's ear. At least I can, so for example, when I survey the score of a piece of Johannes Brahms that I've never played before, I can tell immediately what it will sound like, including expressive and dynamic markings. And the music of Brahms, most especially his late output, is so eloquent that all you really need to convey it clearly is right there on the printed page. There's no need of affect for effect.

Upon listening to this new recording by pianist Charles Owen that's exactly what I heard: the composer's thoughts and concept while writing down the music. His playing is natural, instinctive and unfettered, with a perfect dynamic balance between his left and right hand, and most importantly faithful to the score. Let us take for example the famous Intermezzo in A Major from the Op. 118. I've heard too many recordings in which the pianists were trying so hard to impose their own over-mannered logic to the music that they ruined it. Plain and simple. But like all great pianists, Charles Owen manages to remove himself from the tonal picture, and in doing so, allows you to hear the essence of the music. And this is not to say that his playing is lifeless. Quite the contrary, it reveals the creative spirit that was the catalyst, the motivating force within the composer's mind.

Highly recommended! A 2-disc set bringing together all the late piano works of Johannes Brahms viewed from the composer's perspective and performed accordingly. It's a no-brainer.