Brahms's masterpieces. Popular 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.

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.

LullabyJohannes Brahms

Brahms' Lullaby

We present a masterpiece by Johannes Brahms, one of Germany’s “Three Bs.” Composed in 1868, this work was gifted to celebrate the birth of a close friend’s child.

With its gently rocking melody and soothing lines, it has lulled babies to sleep around the world.

It’s said that a hidden counter-melody contains an expression of love for a former sweetheart.

More than 150 years on, this piece continues to be cherished by many.

It’s recommended not only for classical music fans but also for those raising children.

May it bring you a moment of peace.

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.

Like a melodyJohannes Brahms

Peter Schreier – Brahms Lieder, Op.105 – Wie Melodien Zieht Es Mir

The song composed in 1888 is one of the works that represents his mature period.

Known as one of the three great Bs of German music alongside Bach and Beethoven, Brahms inherited the classical tradition while pursuing his own Romantic expression.

This piece sets words by the poet Klaus Groth and depicts a melody that flows quietly through the heart.

Although it is a short piece of about two minutes in A major, it features a structure in which the piano accompaniment and the voice converse, highlighting Brahms’s introspective emotional expression.

It is also a highly recommended piece for those just beginning to take an interest in classical music.

Variations on a Theme by Paganini in A minorJohannes Brahms

Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35 / Performed by Mika Ota

Composed between 1862 and 1863, this work consists of 28 variations on the theme of Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No.

24 in A minor, written by the Italian violinist.

Although Brahms devoted himself primarily to composition and rarely performed the piano, he is said to have been highly skilled as an active pianist, having earned his living as one from the age of 13 in restaurants and taverns.

As indicated by Brahms’s own description of the piece as “studies for pianists with refined technique,” it is also renowned for the exceptionally high level of technical proficiency required for performance.

Academic Festival OvertureJohannes Brahms

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture

The overture for orchestra he composed in 1880 is a work that showcases both his musical talent and playful spirit.

Written in gratitude for being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Breslau, the piece musically evokes fond memories of his student days.

Skillfully weaving together four student songs, it blends Brahms’s classical techniques with Romantic expression into a brilliant, roughly ten-minute musical tableau.

It’s a recommended piece for those looking to become familiar with classical music or anyone nostalgic for their youthful student years.

Intermezzo in B minor, Op. 119 No. 1 (Four Pieces, No. 1)Johannes Brahms

Brahms – 4 Klavierstücke, Op. 119

Among the masterpieces left by the German composer Johannes Brahms, the short pieces he wrote late in life have a special poignancy.

Composed in 1893, this work strongly reflects Brahms’s inner turmoil and sense of loneliness.

Beginning with slow, dark chords, its world of sound—woven from complex harmonies and delicate expression—awakens deep emotion in the listener.

In a letter to Clara Schumann, Brahms described the piece as “melancholy, with swirling dissonances,” and one can feel the composer’s quiet resolve as he contemplates the end of life.

It is a highly recommended piece for those who are drawn to introspective music.

Waltz No. 15 in A-flat major, Op. 39 No. 15Johannes Brahms

Brahms: Waltz No. 15 in A-flat major, Op. 39 No. 15

We present a gem among the works left by the 19th-century German composer Johannes Brahms.

This is one of the most popular pieces from his set of waltzes for piano four hands, published in 1865.

It is characterized by an elegant and accessible melody and is affectionately known as the “Waltz of Love.” While cherishing the formal beauty of Classicism, Brahms built a unique musical world interwoven with the sensibilities of Romanticism.

This work distills his delicate sensitivity and artistry.

It is a recommended piece for those just getting into classical music or anyone seeking soothing, heartwarming sounds.