Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a German classical music composer. He is considered by most musicologists to be one of the giants of the art. He studied the piano from the age of 7 and composition from 13. From an early age he absorbed the popular and folk idioms – often in a Hungarian style - as an arranger for his father’s light orchestra in Frankfurt. When he was 20 he met the Hungarians Liszt and Joachim. Joachim and Brahms were to become lifelong friends. This was to surface in his 21 Hungarian Waltzes, and the scherzo movements of various other works. He also met Robert and Clara Schumann who became his friends and mentors. His relationship with Clara was one of early infatuation maturing to a profound reverence and mutual friendship that lasted the rest of their lives.

As a pianist he was prodigious enough to be have been offered a concert tour of America before his teens; but in spite of this, and the urging of his family, he set his sights on composition. He struggled to gain recognition in this until the publication of his “German Requiem” in 1869; a work recognised as one of the masterworks of its genre. He had recently moved to Vienna, the capital of the Hapsburg Empire, and hub of cultural life. It suited him, and the works written in the next few years were to bring him fame and financial security. When he died in 1897 he was given a state procession with thousands walking behind his coffin.

Works

• 4 Symphonies
• 2 Piano Concertos
• Violin Concerto
• Double Concerto (for Violin and ‘cello)
• Various shorter orchestral works
• 3 Piano sonatas, plus many shorter works for solo piano – variations, intermezzi, fantasies etc., Miniatures, but many of them great.
• Various works for two pianos and piano four hands. (See trivia, below)
• 3 Violin sonatas
• 2 ‘cello sonatas (or 3, counting his ‘cello transcription of the 1st violin sonata.
• 2 Clarinet (or viola) sonatas
• 4 piano trios
• 3 piano quartets
• Piano quintet
• Horn trio
• Clarinet trio
• Clarinet quintet
• 3 String quartets
• 2 string quintets
• 2 string sextets
• Over 300 songs
• 'A German Requiem', Cantatas, and other works for chorus and/or voice and orchestra.
• Much music for unaccompanied choir.
• Dozens of folk song arrangements for one or two singers and piano.

Trivia

Brahms became quite the modern entrepreneur. These days, we walk out of the concert hall or recital room to be met by displays of the “Latest CD”. Brahms usually had the sheet music for 4 hand piano versions of the concert pieces on sale at the venue. Most Viennese families had at least two members proficient on the piano. It not only meant more profit from the concert, but it spread his music far and wide amongst the citizens who couldn’t get to the concert. Even “A German Requiem”, as big a piece of music as one can hear, (often heard with over 200 performers) has not only a version for choir, soloists and two pianos; but a setting for two pianos alone!