May 7, 2009

Johannes Brahms - Happy Birthday!!

436px-Johannes_Brahms_1853

On May 7th, 1856 , Johannes Brahms’ mother wrote to him in a letter:

“… This morning I woke up at exactly the hour at which you first saw the light of day, 23 years ago. Half an hour later I had you in my arms, at my breast… and now you are so far away from me!

No words are more sincere and eloquent than these when talking about Johannes’ birth, on May 7th, 1833, in Hamburg.

In 1865, 11 years after the letter, Brahms’ mother passed away. This event led Johannes to write his most sublime choral work, A German Requiem. Its fifth movement, which we listen next in the emotive voice of Barbara Bonney, was the last one added to the requiem, expressly in the memory of his mother.

A German Requiem Op. 45 - 5th Movement (1868)

Johannes Brahms has been previously featured in this blog and there’s a good reason for it. This blog wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for his music! The two authors of Flux (as we have come to call this blog to save time) got to meet each other partly because we shared a big interest in his works. Natis, the heart of this blog, has played Brahms’ music on clarinet, for her own constant delight and amazement. Alejandro (me!), has listened to almost all of Brahms’ works, enjoying every musical note created by him. This post is our small tribute to one of the greatest musicians of all times. Happy Birthday, Johannes!

Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op. 115 - 1st Movement (1891)

2 comments:

  1. Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit; aber ich will euch wieder sehen und euer Herz soll sich freuen, und eure Freude soll niemand von euch nehmen.
    Sehet mich an: Ich habe eine kleine Zeit Mühe und Arbeit gehabt und habe großen Trost funden.
    Ich will euch trösten, wie einen seine Mutter tröstet.

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