Brahms's masterpieces. Popular classical music.

Piano Quintet, Op. 34Johannes Brahms

Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden 2017 Opening “Produced by Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi” Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34 – from the performance on September 15, 2017

It is a work composed in 1864 and published in 1865.

Brahms initially conceived the piece as a string quintet, but it did not go well, so he rewrote it as a sonata for two pianos.

Later, following advice from those around him, he revised it again into a piano quintet—a well-known episode associated with this work.

Incidentally, the sonata for two pianos was published in 1871 as Op.

34b.

Symphony No. 2, Op. 73Johannes Brahms

Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73: 4. Allegro con spirito

This is a gem of a symphony composed by Brahms, a leading figure of German Romanticism, while staying at a summer retreat surrounded by Austria’s beautiful nature.

Consisting of four movements, it begins with a gentle theme, unfolds into a wistful cello melody, lively rhythms, and culminates in a powerful finale.

Premiered in December 1877 to great success, the piece is notable among Brahms’s symphonies for its particularly bright, hopeful atmosphere.

Evoking a sense of tranquility and beauty in nature, it is a highly recommended piece for those looking to become more familiar with classical music.

Two RhapsodiesJohannes Brahms

Brahms – 2 Rhapsodies, Op. 79 (Murray Perahia)

Composed in 1879 when Brahms was 46, this work consists of two pieces for solo piano.

It was dedicated to Elisabeth von Stockhausen, a former pupil and composer.

The work was originally titled “Two Piano Pieces,” but it is said that, at Elisabeth’s request, it received its current title.

It is one of the most beloved pieces among Brahms’s works.

Symphony No. 3, Op. 90Johannes Brahms

♪ Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90 / Sergiu Celibidache conducting the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra

This is Brahms’s third symphony, composed around 1883 when he was 50.

Perhaps because Brahms revered Beethoven, the conductor who premiered it, Hans Richter, praised the work with Beethoven’s Symphony No.

3 “Eroica” in mind, calling it “Brahms’s Eroica.” Its premiere by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was a great success and received high acclaim from audiences.

The piece was also used in the 1961 film Goodbye Again starring Ingrid Bergman.

A German Requiem, Op. 45Johannes Brahms

Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ MDR-Rundfunkchor ∙ Solisten ∙ David Zinman

Composed between 1857 and 1867, when Brahms was between 24 and 35 years old.

It is said that the death of his mentor, Schumann, served as the motivation for the composition.

The term “Requiem” refers to the Catholic Church’s Mass for the Dead.

However, as a Protestant, Brahms did not use the Latin liturgical text; instead, he selected his own lyrics from the German Bible and other sources.

For this reason, it was composed not as liturgical music, but as a work intended for concert performance.

Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 83Johannes Brahms

J.BRAHMS:PIANO CONCERTO No.2 Op.83 KRYSTIAN ZIMERMAN,L.BERNSTEIN,WIENER PHILHARMONIKER

Composed between 1878 and 1881, this work is unusual for Brahms in that it features a bright, cheerful character, whereas many of his pieces are strict and weighty in tone.

It is among his most famous compositions and is also one of the more challenging pieces for pianists, demanding a high level of technical skill.

Boasting a symphonic scale, it was described by contemporary music critics as a “symphony with piano.” The piece was dedicated to Brahms’s composition teacher, Eduard Marxsen.

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77Johannes Brahms

Brahms // Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 (Solo Violin: Kazuhito Yamane)

Johannes Brahms, a master of German Romantic music.

One of his signature works is the Violin Concerto, dedicated to his close friend Joseph Joachim.

Composed in 1878 when he was 45, this piece brilliantly fuses symphonic weight with the dazzling virtuosity of the solo violin.

Over roughly 40 minutes, the vast orchestral forces and solo violin weave a musical world that profoundly moves listeners.

Ranked alongside the concertos of Beethoven and Mendelssohn, this work is recommended not only for classical music enthusiasts but for anyone seeking a deeply affecting musical experience.