Brahms
Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg on May 7, 1833. He was one of the major composers of the 19th century, whose works combined the best of the classical and romantic schools. He first studied violin and cello with his father, a double bass player for the Hamburg opera. Brahms became a talented pianist: he gave his first public recital at the age of fourteen and made his living by playing in dance halls and taverns. In 1853, Brahms went on tour with Eduard Remenyl, a Hungarian violinist. During this tour, Johannes met Franz Liszt. Brahms, however, never became personally friendly with Liszt. On the same tour, Brahms met Joseph Joachim, who in turn introduced him to Robert Schumann. Schumann had a huge impact on Brahms' musical career. Schumann called Brahms the "coming genius of German music." He was so impressed by Brahms unfinished compositions that he wrote a raving magazine article about them. Schumann then arranged for the publication of Brahms first songs and piano sonatas. When Schumann suffered a nervous collapse and tried to commit suicide, Brahms rushed to Dusseldorf to be by Clara's side (Shumann's wife). His motives were those of a loyal friend, by he soon fell in love with her. She greatly valued Brahms support, b
These works display a tightly knit structure, which comes from the Viennese classical tradition. Brahms disliked the new harmonic effects and the new tones colors. He was concerned with creating music with unity; unusual effects are only used to enhance the internal structure. His best works contain simple passages. Each theme, figure, and modulation is similar to the one before it. Instead of going with the new trends of music, he stayed with the old and traditional ways. He was said to revive a tradition in which no other important composer since Beethoven had acquired. "The fiery emotional range of the romantic spirit" defines the music of Brahms. After being rejected for a post as conductor in Hamburg, Brahms visited Vienna and made a home for himself there in 1868. Although he earned a good income from publishers and from playing and conducting his works, Brahms always lived frugally. He lived simply in modest lodgings; enjoyed his food but was not extravagant; his clothes were out of fashion and often untidy, yet always clean. More than any other composer of the second half of the nineteenth century, Brahms was responsible for reviving absolute music. These are compositions that are accepted on their own terms with characteristics like sound and tone color rather than compositions that depict a story. He was a master of compositional craft. Brahms developed such techniques as
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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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