Johannes Brahms: Pianist, Conductor, Composer
110 likes | 1.29k Vues
Johannes Brahms: Pianist, Conductor, Composer Geoff Myers “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” Introduction Born May 7, 1833 (Hamburg, Germany) Lived in Vienna, Austria Died April 3, 1897 from cancer (Vienna, Austria) Composer during Romantic period
Johannes Brahms: Pianist, Conductor, Composer
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Johannes Brahms:Pianist, Conductor, Composer • Geoff Myers “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.”
Introduction • Born May 7, 1833 (Hamburg, Germany) • Lived in Vienna, Austria • Died April 3, 1897 from cancer (Vienna, Austria) • Composer during Romantic period • Father: Johann Jakob Brahms, musician • Mother: Christiane Nissen, seamstress Images from: http://www.naxos.com/composer_image.asp?composerid=139
Brief Biography • 1840: begins studying piano • 1846: begins studying theory & composition • 1848: first public performance as piano soloist • 1853: tours with Reményi (Hungarian violinist) • 1853: meets Robert & Clara Schumann • Becomes good friend of Robert, has romantic affair with Clara • 1863-4: director of the Vienna Singakademie • Tours in northern & central Europe, teaches piano • 1868: settles in Vienna permanently
Brief Biography(cont.) • 1869: performance of the German Requiem • 1872-3: becomes conductor of Vienna Gesellschaftskonzerte • 1873: performance Variations on the St. Antony Chorale • 1876-1878: composes First & Second Symphonies, Violin Concerto, Op. 69-72, and C Major Trio • 1881:Hans von Bülow shows support, allows Brahms to conduct the Meiningen Court Orchestra • 1890: retired from composing • 1897: dies of liver cancer
Orchestral Music Variations on a Theme by Haydn & Hungarian Dances • First, Second, Third, Fourth Symphonies • 2 Piano Concertos • Violin Concerto • Double Concerto(violin & cello) • Academic Festival Overture • Tragic Overture
Chamber Music • 3 string quartets • 2 string quintets • 2 string sextets • Clarinet Quintet • Clarinet Trio • Horn Trio • Piano Quintet • 3 piano Quartets • 3 piano trios • 3 piano & violin sonatas • 2 piano & cello sonatas • 2 piano & clarinet sonatas • Several piano solos • ~200 songs • Chorale preludes for organ
Piano Music Variations on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24 (piano solo) • 3 Piano Sonatas,Op. 1, 2 & 5 • Four Ballads, Op. 10 • Paganini Variations(piano solo), Op. 35 • Fantasias, Op. 116 • Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn(piano duet and for orchestra)
Vocal & Choral Music A German Requiem(Ein deutsches Requiem), Op. 45 • Cradle Song (Wiegenlied, “Brahm’s Lullaby”) • The Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52 • Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 • Song of Destiny (Schicksalslied), Op. 54 • Four Serious Songs,Op.121 • Vain Serenade(Vergebliches Ständchen)
Brahms’ Style • Seriousness • Later: sadness • Different from Wagner & Liszt, etc. • Mixed classicism with romanticism • Inspired by earlier composers (inc. Renaissance, esp. Beethoven) • Older forms of expression (e.g. variation) • Perfection • Concision & strict • Personal
Significance • Brought “absolute” music back • Used old techniques in new, refreshing ways • Technically brilliant
Brahms Today • Examples • Hungarian Dances in Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator • Brahms' Lullaby in cartoons, etc. • Church music (choral & organ) • Star Trek, Peanuts cartoon, Merrie Melodies cartoon, Fawlty Towers TV show, Leonard and Larry comic strip, etc.