Johannes Brahms

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Biography

Born: 1833   Died: 1897   Country: Germany   Period: Romantic
The stature of Johannes Brahms among classical composers is well illustrated by his inclusion among the "Three Bs" triumvirate of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. Of all the major composers of the late Romantic era, Brahms was the one most attached to the Classical ideal as manifested in the music of Haydn, Mozart, and especially Beethoven; indeed, Hans von Bülow once characterized Brahms' Symphony No. 1 (1855-1876) as "Beethoven's Tenth." As a Read more youth, Brahms was championed by Robert Schumann as music's greatest hope for the future; as a mature composer, Brahms became for conservative musical journalists the most potent symbol of musical tradition, a stalwart against the "degeneration" represented by the music of Wagner and his school. Brahms' symphonies, choral and vocal works, chamber music, and piano pieces are imbued with strong emotional feeling, yet take shape according to a thoroughly considered structural plan.

The son of a double bassist in the Hamburg Philharmonic Society, Brahms demonstrated great promise from the beginning. He began his musical career as a pianist, contributing to the family coffers as a teenager by playing in restaurants, taverns, and even brothels. Though by his early twenties he enjoyed associations with luminaries like violinists Eduard Reményi and Joseph Joachim, the friend and mentor who was most instrumental in advancing his career was Schumann, who all but adopted him and became his most ardent partisan, and their esteem was mutual. Following Schumann's death in 1856, Brahms became the closest confidant and lifelong friend of the composer's widow, pianist and composer Clara Wieck Schumann. After a life of spectacular musical triumphs and failed loves (the composer was involved in several romantic entanglements but never wed), Brahms died of liver cancer on April 3, 1897.

In every genre in which he composed, Brahms produced works that have become staples of the repertory. His most ambitious work, the German Requiem (1863-1867), is the composer's singular reinterpretation of an age-old form. The four symphonies -- lushly scored, grand in scope, and deeply expressive -- are cornerstones of the symphonic literature. Brahms' concertos are, similarly, in a monumental, quasi-symphonic vein: the two piano concertos (1856-1859 and 1881) and the Violin Concerto (1878) call for soloists with both considerable technical skill and stamina. His chamber music is among the most sophisticated and exquisitely crafted of the Romantic era; for but a single example, his works that incorporate the clarinet (e.g., the Trio in A minor, Op. 114 and the two Sonatas, Op. 120), an instrument largely overlooked by his contemporaries, remain unsurpassed. Though the piano sonata never held for Brahms the same appeal it had for Beethoven (Brahms wrote three to Beethoven's 32), he produced a voluminous body of music for the piano. He showed a particular affinity for variations -- notably, on themes of Schumann (1854), Handel (1861), and Paganini (1862-1863) -- and likewise produced a passel of national dances and character pieces such as ballades, intermezzi, and rhapsodies. Collectively, these constitute one of the essential bodies of work in the realm of nineteenth century keyboard music. Read less

Featured Johannes Brahms CDs & DVDs:

Brahms: The Symphonies / Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhausorchester
Brahms: The Symphonies / Riccardo Chailly, Gewandhausorchester
Release Date: 11/11/2013   Label: Decca  
Catalog: 001929802   Number of Discs: 3
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Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Helene Grimaud
Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Helene Grimaud
Release Date: 09/30/2013   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 001904602    Number of Discs: 2
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Brahms: Lieder / Bernarda Fink, Roger Vignoles
Brahms: Lieder / Bernarda Fink, Roger Vignoles
Release Date: 06/11/2013   Label: Harmonia Mundi  
Catalog: 501926   Number of Discs: 1
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Brahms: Clarinet Quintet; String Quartet No. 2 / Sharon Kam, Jerusalem Quartet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet; String Quartet No. 2 / Sharon Kam, Jerusalem Quartet
Release Date: 04/09/2013   Label: Harmonia Mundi  
Catalog: 902152   Number of Discs: 1
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Brahms: Complete Symphonies / Levine, Vienna
Brahms: Complete Symphonies / Levine, Vienna
Release Date: 02/01/2008   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 449829   Number of Discs: 3
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Work: Concerto for Piano no 2 in B flat major, Op. 83

Browse 76-100 of 178 Available Recordings
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  • 76.
    Greatest Works - Brahms / Masur, Neumann, Herbig, Et Al
    Greatest Works - Brahms / Masur, Neumann, Herbig, Et Al
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 184272 Release Date: 08/12/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Peter Rösel,  Jürnjakob Timm,  Cécile Ousset
    Conductor:  Kurt Masur,  Günther Herbig,  Václav Neumann
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra,  Berlin Symphony Orchestra
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  • 77.
    Van Cliburn In Moscow Vol 2 - Grieg, Brahms
    Van Cliburn In Moscow Vol 2 - Grieg, Brahms
    Label: Video Artists International   Catalog: 4453 Release Date: 07/15/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Edvard Grieg
    Performer:  Van Cliburn
    Conductor:  Kiril Kondrashin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 78.
    Claudio Abbado In Concert
    Claudio Abbado In Concert
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001140709 Release Date: 07/08/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Johannes Brahms,  Franz Schubert,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Maurizio Pollini,  Marjana Lipovsek,  Jorge Antonio Pita,  Jerry Hadley  ... 
    Conductor:  Claudio Abbado
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna State Opera Chorus Konzertvereinigung
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  • 79.
    Classic Archive - Alexis Weissenberg
    Classic Archive - Alexis Weissenberg
    Label: Euroarts   Catalog: 3078048 Release Date: 06/24/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Frédéric Chopin,  Sergei Rachmaninov  ... 
    Performer:  Alexis Weissenberg
    Conductor:  Georges Prêtre
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  French National Radio Orchestra
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  • 80.
    Toscanini Conducts Brahms - Serenade No 1 & 2, Piano Concerto No 2, Etc
    Toscanini Conducts Brahms - Serenade No 1 & 2, Piano Concerto No 2, Etc
    Label: Guild   Catalog: 2337/38 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms,  Franz Schubert
    Performer:  Robert Casadesus
    Conductor:  Arturo Toscanini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  New York Philharmonic,  New York Ladies Choir
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  • 81.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, 5 Intermezzi / Van Cliburn
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, 5 Intermezzi / Van Cliburn
    Label: Rca Victor Gold Seal   Catalog: 7942 Release Date: 06/12/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Van Cliburn
    Conductor:  Fritz Reiner
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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  • 82.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Backhaus, Böhm
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Backhaus, Böhm
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 4800800 Release Date: 04/14/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Wilhelm Backhaus,  Emanuel Brabec
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
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  • 83.
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-84 Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-84 Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 12038 Release Date: 04/01/2008   Number of Discs: 88
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  E. Nikolaus von Reznicek,  Johannes Brahms  ... 
    Performer:  Karl Leister,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Ernst Haefliger,  Anne-Sophie Mutter  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
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  • 84.
    Brahms - The Concerto Album / Arrau, Oistrakh, Fournier
    Brahms - The Concerto Album / Arrau, Oistrakh, Fournier
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 09421 Release Date: 03/25/2008   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  David Oistrakh,  Pierre Fournier,  Claudio Arrau
    Conductor:  Otto Klemperer,  Alceo Galliera,  Carlo Maria Giulini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  French National Radio Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra
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  • 85.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Giulini , Arrau, Philharmonia Orchestra
    Brahms: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Giulini , Arrau, Philharmonia Orchestra
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 575326 Release Date: 01/13/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Claudio Arrau
    Conductor:  Carlo Maria Giulini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra
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  • 86.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Ashkenazy, Haitink, Vienna Po
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Ashkenazy, Haitink, Vienna Po
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 410199 Release Date: 01/07/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Vladimir Ashkenazy
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 87.
    The Classic Sound - Brahms, Mozart: Concertos / Backhaus
    The Classic Sound - Brahms, Mozart: Concertos / Backhaus
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 448600 Release Date: 11/27/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Wilhelm Backhaus
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 88.
    Bernstein - Brahms / Vienna Philharmonic
    Bernstein - Brahms / Vienna Philharmonic
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000983109 Release Date: 10/09/2007   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Gidon Kremer,  Mischa Maisky,  Krystian Zimerman
    Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 89.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Zimerman, Bernstein
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 / Zimerman, Bernstein
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 000983309 Release Date: 10/09/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Krystian Zimerman
    Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 90.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Masur, Ousset, Et Al
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Masur, Ousset, Et Al
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 8591 Release Date: 09/18/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Cécile Ousset
    Conductor:  Kurt Masur
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
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  • 91.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Hough, Davis, Bbc So
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2 / Hough, Davis, Bbc So
    Label: Virgin Classics   Catalog: 91366 Release Date: 08/14/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Stephen Hough
    Conductor:  Sir Andrew Davis
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  BBC Symphony Orchestra
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  • 92.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2, Etc / Backhaus, Et Al
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2, Etc / Backhaus, Et Al
    Label: Urania   Catalog: 4259 Release Date: 07/24/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Wilhelm Backhaus
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm,  Sir Adrian Boult
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sächsische Staatskapelle,  BBC Symphony Orchestra
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  • 93.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, Haydn Variations / Gilels
    Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, Haydn Variations / Gilels
    Label: Rca Victrola   Catalog: 60536 Release Date: 07/12/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Emil Gilels
    Conductor:  Fritz Reiner,  Eugene Ormandy
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra,  Philadelphia Orchestra
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  • 94.
    Brahms: Piano Concerto 2, Tragic Overture / Gilels, Reiner
    Brahms: Piano Concerto 2, Tragic Overture / Gilels, Reiner
    Label: Rca Victor Red Seal   Catalog: 5406 Release Date: 06/25/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Emil Gilels
    Conductor:  Fritz Reiner
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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  • 95.
    Legendary Treasures - Monique De La Bruchollerie Vol 2
    Legendary Treasures - Monique De La Bruchollerie Vol 2
    Label: Doremi Records   Catalog: 7857 Release Date: 04/10/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Johannes Brahms,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Frédéric Chopin  ... 
    Performer:  Monique de la Bruchollerie
    Conductor:  Louis de Froment,  Rolf Reinhardt,  Rudolf Moralt
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Luxembourg Radio/Television Symphony Orchestra,  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra
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  • 96.
    The Great Piano Concertos - Beethoven, Etc / Horowitz
    The Great Piano Concertos - Beethoven, Etc / Horowitz
    Label: Urania   Catalog: 4253 Release Date: 01/30/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Johannes Brahms,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Sergei Rachmaninov
    Performer:  Vladimir Horowitz
    Conductor:  Fritz Reiner,  Arturo Toscanini,  George Szell,  Serge Koussevitzky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra,  NBC Symphony Orchestra,  New York Philharmonic  ... 
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  • 97.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2, Etc / Emanuel Ax, Et Al
    Brahms: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2, Etc / Emanuel Ax, Et Al
    Label: Sony   Catalog: 703510 Release Date: 01/09/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Emanuel Ax,  Jules Eskin
    Conductor:  Bernard Haitink,  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Boston Symphony Orchestra,  Chicago Symphony Orchestra
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  • 98.
    Brahms: Piano Concertos, Etc / Anton Kuerti, Joseph Rescigno
    Brahms: Piano Concertos, Etc / Anton Kuerti, Joseph Rescigno
    Label: Analekta   Catalog: 2313940 Release Date: 10/26/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Anton Kuerti
    Conductor:  Joseph Rescigno
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Grand Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra
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  • 99.
    Wilhelm Furtwängler Conducts Brahms And Mozart
    Wilhelm Furtwängler Conducts Brahms And Mozart
    Label: Opus Kura   Catalog: 7018 Release Date: 10/24/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Edwin Fischer
    Conductor:  Wilhelm Furtwängler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 100.
    Festspieldokumente - Brahms / Knappertsbusch, Curzon, Vpo
    Festspieldokumente - Brahms / Knappertsbusch, Curzon, Vpo
    Label: Orfeo D'or   Catalog: 329062 Release Date: 09/26/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Clifford Curzon
    Conductor:  Hans Knappertsbusch
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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