Johannes Brahms
The German composer Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg on 7 May 1833, and rose to command attention worldwide. Notable for his extraordinary mastery of musical form, his music has become one of the mainstays of the classic symphonic repertory. He died on 3 April 1897.
A selection of M&V articles about Johannes Brahms
Rich Colours - Mike Wheeler listens to the Eblana String Trio and pianist Andrew Dunlop
Ensemble. Orchestral Colours - Garry Walker conducts Sinfonia Viva, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Wholly Inspiring - A recital by Elaine Huckle, heard by Howard Smith. '... her tonal resources are robust and the delivery pleasingly straightforward.'
Fromage Dangereux - French-Canadian pianist Louise Bessette, heard by Mike Wheeler
Innovative Content - A piano journey on the Danube, with Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Sturm und Drang - The Gould Piano Trio, heard by Michael Tremberth
Ensemble. Very Emotional - Concerts in Rome for Peace, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. A Splendid Violinist - Peter Fisher's 'Music from the Movies', enjoyed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Radiance - Paul Dean plays Brahms and Schumann, recommended by Howard Smith. '... look no further.'
Ensemble. Total Rapport - Jonathan Dormand and Marisa Gupta's Fauré, Brahms and Prokofiev impress Mike Wheeler
Superbly Realised - Llyr Williams plays for the Chopin Society UK, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Tempting Fate - Songs by Sibelius, Brahms, Schubert and Mahler, heard by Robert Anderson. '... ripe understanding ...'
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Eloquence - Brahms piano trios, heard by Robert Anderson. '... an unusual and most welcome expressive range from the strings ...'
Ensemble. Incandescent Performance - Nigel Kennedy with the Royal Philharmonic and Andrew Litton, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Total Commitment - Alexander Liebreich conducts the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Beauty of Tone - Danill Trifonov's prizewinner's concert from the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition, reviewed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Most Remarkable - Jamaican pianist Orrett Rhoden, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Different Idioms - Clarinet music by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Emma Johnson and John Lenehan make a fine partnership ...'
Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London
Ensemble. An Exciting Five Years - Mike Wheeler was at André de Ridder's last concert as Principal Conductor of Sinfonia Viva
South Bank Pianists - Bill Newman listens to Peter Donohoe, Richard Goode and Peter Jablonski
Ensemble. Compelling Settings - Lassus, Gesualdo, Purcell, Byrd, J S Bach, Bruckner, Brahms and Tucapský from the Sitwell Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Sensuous Depths - A selection of orchestral concerts at London's Royal Festival Hall, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Beautiful Discourse - Chamber music from Lydia Artymiw, Arnaud Sussman, Toby Appel and Yehuda Hanani, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Complete Engagement - Mike Wheeler listens to pianist Helen Reid
Ensemble. Mesmerising Stillness - Stephen Hough joins Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Brilliant in the Extreme - Mozart and Brahms from the Razumovsky Ensemble, enjoyed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. 2011 Specials - A roundup of London concerts enjoyed by Bill Newman, featuring recitals by Alice Sara Ott, the Emerson Quartet, Martin Fröst and Roland Pontinen, the Orchestra of the Polish EU Presidency, Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä and Roope Grondahl, and Martino Tirimo's Rosamunde Trio
CD Spotlight. Glorious - Henri Barda plays Brahms, Beethoven and Chopin, recommended by Bill Newman. 'The performances are in a class of their own.'
CD Spotlight. Magnificent Form - Peter Katin plays Brahms, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Katin is in his element, moulding the arching phrases with complete mastery.'
Ensemble. A Tragic Programme - Tom Taffinder reports from Welsh National Opera
Ensemble. Pyrotechnic Skills - Lionel Cottet and Louis Schwizgebel-Wang play Beethoven, Schubert, Zanon and Brahms, and impress Bill Newman
Ensemble. Innermost Passions - Ralph Kirshbaum and Shai Wosner play Beethoven, Janácek, Brahms and Schumann, enjoyed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Beautifully Played - Bill Newman attends two orchestral concerts at London's Royal Festival Hall
Ask Alice - On downloading Brahms Sextets and coping with Greek rodents, with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
CD Spotlight. Opulent Sonorities - Brahms violin sonatas, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Zina Schiff has the range of tone colour and subtlety of vibrato to put the music convincingly across.'
CD Spotlight. A No-nonsense Approach - Orchestral music by Richard Strauss, heard by Robert Anderson. '... not quite the whole story.'
Consummate Artists - Malcolm Troup reports on the BPSE Summer Festival at London's Regent Hall, where for the first time Music, not consumerism, called the shots
DVD Spotlight. Admirable Intentions - Gillian Rogell teaches chamber music, observed by Howard Smith. 'It's all fairly basic stuff ...'
CD Spotlight. Often Spectacular - The American String Project, seen and heard by Patric Standford. 'The performers are undoubtedly superb ...'
CD Spotlight. Formidable Hurdles - Music by George Rochberg, heard by Howard Smith. '... an eloquent performance, effectively recorded.'
Profile. All-Involving - Turkish pianist Idil Biret talks to Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Unaffected Restraint - Halida Dinova plays music that tells stories, heard by Howard Smith. '... a mesmerising interpreter ...'
Ensemble. Musical Outlooks - Bill Newman attends a selection of concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
Ensemble. Tuning in Afresh - Bill Newman listens to Bulgarian pianist Vesselin Stanev
CD Spotlight. Ready Solace - Brahms piano music, heard by Robert Anderson. '... Atzinger is at his best ...'
CD Spotlight. Positively Spellbinding - Music for clarinet, piano and cello, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a fine recording ...'
Ensemble. Great Delicacy - Mike Wheeler listens to the Hallé Orchestra in Liszt, Schumann and Brahms
Variety of Mood - Brahms and Stanford from The Sitwell Singers, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Consummate Artistry - The Israel Piano Trio, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Great Sensitivity - The Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Inspired Artistry - The Israel Piano Trio at London's Wigmore Hall, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
Passport to Heaven - Bill Newman listens to the Russian pianist Nelly Akopian-Tamarina
DVD Spotlight. Ho hum! - Vidor Nagy plays Bach and Paganini, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... moments of splendour.'
Highly Impressive - A recital by Michael Ierace, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Generous Tonal Warmth - Derby Choral Union's Mozart Requiem, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Highly Promising - Brahms, Beethoven, Kreisler and Elgar from Chee-Yun, Sebrina Maria Alfonso and the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, heard by Lawrence Budmen
CD Spotlight. Well Worth Exploration - Orchestral music by Lodewijk Mortelmans, heard by Robert Anderson. 'The performances ... are a delight ...'
Ensemble. Very Rewarding - The Derwent Singers, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Glowing Performance - The Sitwell Singers begin a new season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - The Wihan Quartet at Kings Place, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Most Memorable - A recital by Soojin Han and Tadashi Imai impresses Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Ingeniously Crafted - Orchestral music by Donald Tovey, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. '... the Malmö Opera Orchestra plays handsomely for George Vass.'
CD Spotlight. Exciting Listening - Mykola Suk plays Liszt, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a mastery and range of expression ...'
CD Spotlight. Lightness of Touch - Brahms and Strauss, heard by Patric Standford. '... a very fine performance by Joshua Pierce ...'
CD Spotlight. Clear Tonal Focus - Music for cello and piano by Krzysztof Meyer, recommended by Patric Standford. '... fine playing ...'
CD Spotlight. Uncharted Waters - Joshua Pierce plays Schubert, heard by Robert Anderson. '... sensitive pianism ...'
Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010
Ensemble. Impeccable Standards - Bill Newman's pick of June and July concerts at London's Wigmore Hall
CD Spotlight. Finely Judged - Brahms and Schumann piano quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. 'This is music-making both sensitive and relaxed.'
Ensemble. A Total Delight - The Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, heard by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. A Remarkable Event - Paul Sarcich visits the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Linear Clarity - Julian Jacobson's Wigmore Hall recital impresses Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Grandest Lines - Donald Tovey's cello concerto, heard by Robert Anderson. '... satisfyingly masterful.'
CD Spotlight. Great Abilities - Piano trios by Donald Tovey, heard by Robert Anderson. '... diatonic convictions ...'
Ask Alice - On songwriters and gamba sonatas, with classical music agony aunt Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Mahler versus Mahler - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Antonio Pappano and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
A Genuine Beethoven Pianist - Simon Watterton gives a lunchtime recital in London, heard by Julian Jacobson
CD Spotlight. Lyrical Powers - Orchestral music by Louis Spohr, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Howard Shelley and the Swiss orchestra clearly relish this unusual assignment.'
Ensemble. Beautifully Turned - Horn trios by Lennox Berkeley, Jeremy Thurlow and Haydn impress Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Chicago Baroque - Trio Settecento's A German Bouquet, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... very fine performances of some rarely heard but attractive music ...'
Ensemble. Splendidly Imaginative - Julian Jacobson and Meng Yang Pan celebrate Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, enjoyed by Mary Isaac
Ensemble. Crisp and Energetic - Ilya Gringolts, Sinfonia Viva and André de Ridder, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Class Of Its Own - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Cleveland Orchestra
CD Spotlight. Sterling Playing - Wendy Warner's interpretations of Popper and Piatigorsky, heard by Howard Smith. '... sovereign music-making deserving of the highest accolades.'
Magnificent Scholarship - Robert Hugill reads the new Cambridge Handel Encyclopaedia
CD Spotlight. Invigoratingly Natural - Van Beinum conducts Mahler, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a tad less frenetic ...'
Imaginative Heights - Gordon Rumson looks forward to the Calgary Art Song Competition
Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival
Arts and the Colour of Politics - Béla Hartmann muses on growing social equality and democratization
Timings - Universal Edition's preparations for the Mahler Centenary years (2010-2011), by Jennifer Paull
Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson
CD Spotlight. Sacrificing the 'unmodern' - Music by Julius Röntgen and Per Nørgård, heard by George Balcombe. 'How could any audience resist ... ?'
Ensemble. Tonal Luxuriance - Lawrence Budmen reports from Tanglewood 2009
Ensemble. The Boys - Bill Newman was at Nettle and Markham's thirtieth anniversary recital
Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton
Outstanding and unforgettable - Lilya Zilberstein's recital at London's Wigmore Hall impresses Bill Newman
Ensemble. Especially Successful - Gillian Wills reports from the Australian Fesival of Chamber Music
Balancing Act - Beethoven in E flat, with Julian Jacobson and friends
Ensemble. Suite Brolga - Music of David Salisbury at the 2009 Australian Festival of Chamber Music, reported by Malcolm Tattersall
A Liquid Lunch - A recital by Evelyne Berezovsky, heard by Julian Jacobson
Marvelously Gifted - Bill Newman listens to pianist Alexander Romanovsky
Ensemble. Clarity of Texture - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra
Ensemble. Full Rein - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Immensely Successful Event - Thomas Bielinski reports from the West Cork Chamber Music Festival 2009
A Natural Aristocrat - 'Cardus - Celebrant of Beauty' by Robin Daniels, reviewed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Intensity of Playing - Robert Hugill was at the start of Endymion's 30th birthday celebrations
CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'
CD Spotlight. Virtuoso Duo - Performances by the Elaris Duo, recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... all the passion, drama and integrity one could want.'
Ensemble. Energy and Imagination - Beethoven from Louis Lortie, Kurt Masur and the Cleveland Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. An Involving Performance - Brahms' German Requiem, sung by the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Fire and Magic - Richard Stoltzman's 'Phoenix in Flight', recommended by Malcolm Tattersall. '... meltingly beautiful ...'
CD Spotlight. Eminently Competitive - Mozart works for clarinet, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Paul Dean demonstrates his exemplary fluency ...'
CD Spotlight. A Skilful Balance - The Icicle Creek Piano Trio, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... rhythmically brisk, considered performances ...'
Record Box. Admirable Musicianship - Caroline Clemmow and Anthony Goldstone play Chopin and entertain Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Complexity of Thought - Eugene Feygelson and Malcolm Troup play Beethoven and Bloch, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Record Box. Unique Timbres - A recording by The Brahms Trio Prague, reviewed by George Balcombe
Ensemble. Powerfully Sonorous - Fauré, Bliss, Brahms and Weber played by the Frith Piano Quartet, and reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Lovely Performance - A recital by Bálint Székely and Mariko Kondo, heard by Bill Newman
Rare Talent - Young Concert Artists Trust recitals, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Rare Provenance - Kristallnacht remembered, by Howard Smith
CD Spotlight. Fascinating Rarities - Taneyev string trios, heard by Julian Jacobson. '... a performance of real commitment and assurance ...'
Ensemble. An Exhilarating Performance - Tim Lowe plays Haydn, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Tonal Contrast - A recital by Victoria Simonsen and Simon Lane, appreciated by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Distinctive Spontaneity - Halida Dinova plays Brahms, unreservedly recommended by Howard Smith. 'A truly distinguished performance and recording ...'
Record Box. An Animated Performance - Music for orchestra by Steven R Gerber, heard by Patric Standford
Good-hearted Buoyancy - Dvorák and Brahms from Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Dangers Transcended - A concert by Trio Albonata, enjoyed by Gordon Rumson
Ensemble. Joyful and Celebratory - Schumann and Strauss from Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Delectably Played - A concert by the Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Record Box. Fine Recordings - Orchestral music by Julius Burger, reviewed by Patric Standford
CD Spotlight. An Intellectual Force - Piano music by Sergei Taneyev, reviewed by Ron Bierman. 'Performances are expert and loving throughout ...'
Record Box. Slow and Indulgent - Marin Alsop conducts Brahms, reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. A Memorable Concert - Chloë Hanslip, Slatkin and the RPO, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Positively Inspirational - Jennifer Koh plays Schumann, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... superbly accomplished performances ...'
Ensemble. Beethoven and Blue Skies - The 2007 Australian Festival of Chamber Music begins, and Malcolm Tattersall is there
Ensemble. Fascinating Programming - A report from the Sarasota Music Festival 2007, by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Stunning Performance - Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Anne-Marie McDermott in New York, enjoyed by Anna L Franco
Ensemble. A Divine Evening - The London Bridge Ensemble plays Brahms, Beethoven and Schumann, enjoyed by Tau Wey
Ensemble. A Sonorous Feast - Music-making by Cédric Tiberghien, Jirí Belohlávek and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Colourful Renditions - Recitals by Denitsa Laffchieva and Evelina Puzaite, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Musical Paradise - The Artemis Quartet shines at Urbana's Krannert Center, reviewed by Sonja Stojanovic
Ensemble. Deeply Involving - Emile de Roubaix and the Maraini Quartet play Mozart, Szymanowski and Brahms, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Special Performance - Beethoven and Brahms from Pittsburgh, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz
Drive and Energy - Andreas Boyde's recent Derby recital, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Intelligent and Cogent - Julian Jacobson attended the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe's Summer Celebrity Festival
Ensemble. The Journey Begins - Malcolm Tattersall is at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music 2006
Record box. Grandeur and Impulsiveness - Joshua Pierce's recording of Brahms' second piano concerto, reviewed by Alice McVeigh
CD Spotlight. Textures which suit - Music for flute, clarinet and piano, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... unusual, enjoyable ...'
Ensemble. Full of Life - Compositions by M Zachary Johnson premièred at Steinway Hall, reviewed by Anna Franco
Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - The Budapest Symphony Orchestra on tour in the UK, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Profile. The Hungarian Nightingale - A meeting with Gisela Doráti, better known as 'Gizi', by Bill Newman
Ensemble. An outstanding recital - The Denali Piano Trio, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Luminous display - Jung Lin returns to Lincoln Center, reviewed by Anna Franco
Ensemble. Hushed intensity - Elgar, Brahms and Strauss in Derby, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Utterly gripping - A recital by Fiona McNaught and Daniel Tong, appreciated by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A musical treasure - Polina Osetinskaya displays fiery command in Beethoven and Liszt, appreciated by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Darkness to light - Malcolm Tattersall is at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music
CD Spotlight. Entertaining tricks - Cello and violin CDs, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... silken, silvery tone ...'
Ensemble. Glistening quality - Christian Tetzlaff plays Brahms, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
CD Spotlight. Fundamental spirit - The Pergamenschikow-Gililov recordings 1990-1994, appreciated by Tess Crebbin. '... fresh and invigorating ...'
CD Spotlight. Individuated lyricism - Marianna Rashkovetsky plays Chopin, reviewed by John Bell Young. '... luscious tone and interpretive ardency.'
CD Spotlight. Thistledown delicacy - Music for clarinet by Brahms, reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'These CD performances are wholly admirable ...'
Ensemble. The transformative power of music - An eloquent Schumann Trio tops the Sarasota Festival, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Powerful Shostakovich - A valedictory performance by the Miami String Quartet, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Record box. Efficient and sensitive - A Philip Amalong piano recital, reviewed by Patric Standford
CD Spotlight. To be savoured - Aubrey Brain plays Bach, Brahms, Glazunov and Mozart, appreciated by David Thompson. '... music making of the highest calibre ...'
Ensemble. Old world charm - Lawrence Budmen listens to the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin playing Brahms, Mozart and Beethoven
Ensemble. Visions of sublimity - Lawrence Budmen listens to Yefim Bronfman and the American String Quartet
Ensemble. High spirits - Lawrence Budmen visits the Sarasota Music Festival
CD Spotlight. Fresh lyricism - Dvorák quartets on Praga Digitals, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... beautifully captured by the Kocian team.'
Ensemble - Meeting of minds - Stephen Kovacevich and friends play excellent Mozart and Brahms, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - no composers, thank you!
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - meanings
Profile. A singing instrument - Martino Tirimo discusses the piano and its music with Bill Newman
Ensemble. Purpose and insight - Malcolm Miller enjoys two outstanding débuts by German and Italian artists
Ensemble. Warmth and communicability - Bernard Roberts' Romantic pianism launches the Glenilla concert season. Malcolm Miller listens
CD Spotlight. A monumental work - Hans Rott's Symphony in E, with Patric Standford. '... outstanding recording.'
Profile. Life and experience - The Czech conductor Jirí Belohlávek talks to Roderic Dunnett
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - completions
CD Spotlight. Kipnis' Cocktails - Dances by Dvorák, Brahms and Grieg, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. 'This particular mosaic of magical components is just right!'
Ensemble. Celebration and Desolation - Andrew Campling, Musical Director of the London Docklands Singers, attended a Trio Melisma concert in London
CD Spotlight - Resplendent performance. Stokowski conducts Mendelssohn and Brahms, with David Thompson. 'They were clearly devoted to the old wizard, and they play their hearts out for him.'
Ensemble - In virtuoso manner. Alice Neary and Gretel Dowdeswell at London's Wigmore Hall, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight - Magisterial presence. '... a performance that is at once radiant, powerful and precise.' Garnet Ungar plays Brahms, reviewed by John Bell Young
CD Spotlight - Immanent power. '... a musician's musician, one who harvests a composition for its intimacy and expressive nuance.' Walter Hautzig plays dances for the piano, reviewed by John Bell Young
Record box - Trawling for treasure. Dennis Brain on BBC Legends
Record box - Four-handed music. Igor Kipnis & Karen Kushner, with Basil Ramsey
Planning your collection - Steven Wray and Sam Haywood, with Bill Newman
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