Johannes Brahms: A Biography (Hardcover)

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Review
'I am become something of a cult in Hamburg,' Johannes Brahms wrote to his friend Joachim, the violinist, in 1859. Success was some consolation for the desperation of his love for Clara Schumann, virtuoso pianist and wife of his mentor, Robert. In 1854 he had written that his love 'left like an endless unbearable suspension'. Clara was 35, Johannes 21, and their loyalty to the mentally ill Robert - who considered Brahms to be 'the saviour of German music' - prevented any declaration of love. Early photographs show an extremely handsome young man, unrecognizable as the bearded patriarch of later years, the famous composer. Swafford, a fellow composer, writes knowledgeably of Brahms's magisterial music, his fear of a loss of creative talent, his relationship with other composers including the jealous Wagner, and sympathetically of an ultimately lonely man who 'had many friend but no intimates'. (Kirkus UK)

A definitive work about one of the 19th century's most influential classical music composers. Books coming out in anniversary years too often don't live up to the subject they celebrate. Such is most definitely not the case in Swafford's biography of Brahms, published on the 100th anniversary of his death. This is an exceptionally well written chronicle of this musical master, an extraordinary work, guaranteed to inform and entertain classical music aficionados and tyros alike. That Swafford (Charles Ives: A Life in Music, 1996) had no easy task is clear. Where some leave long paper trails, Brahms, hoping to let his music rather than his personal life be the legacy on which later generations judged him, destroyed countless personal documents, letters, and music scores he deemed unworthy or compromising. But where Brahms was exceptionally careful - he even signed his name "J. Br" to thwart hungry autograph seekers - those around him were not, notably Clara Schumann. A brilliant professional pianist, Frau Schumann, who was married to composer Robert Schumann, was the love of Brahms's life. In their decades-long relationship, they exchanged hundreds of letters, many of which still exist despite Brahms's attempts to get them returned. The letters are simultaneously touching revelations of their relationship - likely never consummated - and perceptive journals of an exciting musical era. Swafford uses the correspondence and other research to paint an exhaustive picture of that era and of Brahms himself. What emerges is a stimulating view of a living paradox, a misogynist who used women as his muse, a generous spirit whose barbed tongue often alienated his best friends. In between, Swafford cleverly uses some 64 musical examples to illustrate Brahms's many musical developments. For readers of Swafford's biography, Brahms's Lullaby will never sound the same. (Kirkus Reviews)

Product Description
Written in the style of a true Victorian melodrama: sex, suicide, madness, betrayal and triumph, Jan Swafford's biography not only reveals Brahms as a man of appalling and brilliant contradictions, but opens a window on an era of cultural absoluteness, an era when music mattered to everyone.

2 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, magical, 27 Nov 2001 By A Customer No music-lover should miss this book which, as well as illluminating an underrated master, also sheds enormous light on 19th century music. An absolute masterpiece Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books about Musicians I Have Ever Read, 8 May 2008 By  Mr. Mark A. Meldon (Somerset UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Brahms is a fascinating individual and I love his music (particulary the chamber stuff), but I wanted to know more. Having looked at reviews on amazon.com, and having read Jan Swafford's generalist book on classical music (really good, by the way) I paid up for this book. I have to say that I often find biographies as dull as ditchwater and struggle with too much technical music stuff but this is a fine exception. Detailing Brahm's eventful journey through life and his often odd relationships with others (women in particular) you learn of his struggles with large-scale works and of just how he fitted into 19th century art. I could not help but read this book right through in just a few sittings. Excellent and well worth tracking down. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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