Johannes Brahms: A Biography
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.16 (583 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0679745823 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 752 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-12-18 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
eledavf Vivian said A wonderful human being. I cannot begin to tell you what a lovable man Johannes Brahms was. This thought came to me three quarters of the way through this excellent biography.Brahms, a curmudgeon with his friends, but only occasionally. Impatient with pushy fans, but rarely with simple acquaintances. Loving son. Devoted confidante of Clara Schumann over a span of forty years on and off the concert stage.A major part of his c. "Brahms Brought to Life" according to Eric Gross. I have listened and loved the music of J. Brahms since I was about 7. Since I am 6Brahms Brought to Life I have listened and loved the music of J. Brahms since I was about 7. Since I am 63 now, I can say that I've listened to most of his published works many times over. In addition, I have played quite a number of his piano works for decades. Yet despite all of that experience, I found this book revelatory. Brahms, as the author points out, makes for a difficult subject. He made it clear that he was not. now, I can say that I've listened to most of his published works many times over. In addition, I have played quite a number of his piano works for decades. Yet despite all of that experience, I found this book revelatory. Brahms, as the author points out, makes for a difficult subject. He made it clear that he was not. "Excellent book, and questions remain" according to Edward R. Kriege. This is the most enjoyable book I've read (so far) in 2009. As an amateur pianist I've been witness to the glory that is Brahms (e.g. shorter piano works; "veiled symphonies", as Robert Schumann referred to some of Brahms' piano compositions). This thoroughly researched yet non-technical (not too much to get in the way of a layperson's enjoyment) book brought to life not only this great man, but the
The brilliant biographer of a quintessentially American, prototypically modern musician (Charles Ives) proves just as masterful in probing the life and art of a 19th-century German composer. . A composer himself, Swafford understands and lucidly conveys Brahms's unique position in musical history: beloved by many, emulated by few, the triumphant yet melancholy heir of a tradition coming to an end in his lifetime. Writing with passionate clarity that perfectly matches the genius of Brahms (1833-97), Jan Swafford traces the emotional wellsprings of this secretive man's music without trivializing art into mere autobiography
A New York Times Notable Book"This brilliant and magisterial book is a very good bet tobecome the definitive study of Johannes Brahms."--The Plain DealerJudicious, compassionate, and full of insight into Brahms's human complexity as well as his music, Johannes Brahms is an indispensable biography.Proclaimed the new messiah of Romanticism by Robert Schumann when he was only twenty, Johannes Brahms dedicated himself to a long and extraordinarily productive career. In this book, Jan Swafford sets out to reveal the little-known Brahms, the boy who grew up in mercantile Hamburg and played piano in beer halls among prostitutes and drunken sailors, the fiercely self-protective man who thwarted future biographers by burning papers, scores and notebooks late in his life. Making unprecedented use of the remaining archival material, Swafford offers richly expanded perspectives on Brahms's youth, on his difficult romantic life--particularly his longstanding relationship with Clara Schumann--and on his professional rivalry with Lizst and Wagner. "Johannes Brahms will no doubt stand as the definitive work on Brahms, one of the monumental biographies in the entire musical library."--London Weekly Standard"It is a meas