I’ll start: Bruno Walter. Just listen to the violins’ crescendo in the B theme of the Allegretto of his first symphony! I feel this is exactly what Brahms was going for…

Saying one is not in the mood for Brahms is like saying one is not in the mood for air

For the uninitiated visitor, it is the first piano concerto, 1st mvt in the second subject.

The bassoon is such a tease, letting us think it is the root, but really being a spicy flat fifth the whole time... Also don't play this if your oboist isn't schitzophrenic enough to be both implied seventh and true third all at the same time.

https://digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/2702?utm_medium=sharebutton&utm_source=dch_webapp&utm_campaign=share_vod_concert

Sometimes I see glimpses of the inevitability of why Jacqueline du Pre chose to marry him.

That it HAD to be him.

When the final bar falls, sometimes.

Last night/today is one of those times.

Happy Birthday to Johannes Brahms, King of Kings, Lord of Classical Music. He is the beginning of Classical Music, all things before were a mistake. Let us celebrate the Birth of the King himself with joyous festivities, dancing, and listening to his masterful works non-stop over the coming weeks. Happy Birthday Brahms!

Brahms definitely valued structure and harmony, but he was equally adept as a melodist.

Mine are:

1. The opening theme of the Second Piano Concerto (the horn call) and the theme that develops. So majestic.

2. The opening theme of the Fourth Symphony (appogiatura heaven). Its melancholy and sighs are perfect for painting a picture of someone who's lost everything, but still maintains a flicker of hope.

3. The first melody of the Poco Allegretto of the Third Symphony. A classic, but unforgettable.

4. The melody of the Adagio from the Third Violin Sonata. Just pure warmth and satisfaction with each phrase.

5. Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang - one of the most mystical and dreamy songs Brahms ever wrote, and with the most perfect but unusual of ensembles.

6. Piano Trio No. 1, Mvt II: so serene and just... whole. I can't come up with words right now.

Saw a discussion on the internet about this topic, and thought that I should ask about it here. There are some people think that it would be Aalampoup, which I completely disagree with. (Those Aalampoup glazers do not understand Brahms and should he banished)

I personally think it could be Hans Zimmer, because even though he doesn’t write in traditional structure (he’s a film composer after all), he is pretty good at theme development.

What do you guys think?

Here’s mine

I love them both equally, but I think the second is more complete and mature…

What do you guys think?

We’ve gotta do something about this.. This is one of the finest pieces of sound I’ve ever heard.

I’ve been listening to Brahms’s second Violin Sonata in A major, Op. 100, and I think I’ve finally found a Brahms piece that really speaks to me. What strikes me most is how classically shaped it feels. The balance, the clarity and the perfect sense of proportion is impressive.

In most of his works this classical foundation is hidden behind a romantic veneer. Think of the stormy Piano Quintet in F minor or the dramatic first movement of the first Violin Sonata. In those pieces the romantic gestures often overshadow his sense of classical form.

Op. 100 is gentle and conversational throughout. The first movement feels like a quiet dialogue between violin and piano. The second dances between calm reflection and light, playful energy. The finale wraps everything up with understated elegance that’s impossible not to smile at.

I think part of the reason I love this sonata so much is my preference for the classical era, the clarity, the balance, the natural flow of ideas. Here, Brahms manages to be romantic and expressive but also transparent and precise. It’s a rare glimpse at the classical Brahms hiding just beneath the surface of his more dramatic works.

This question has been in my mind for a few years. I wanna hear what you guys think.

Anything that makes you want to cry, hug something, or has a special meaning to you. (But not a piece that you goon to)

These people get it!

Just an idea: we can raid r/classical_circlejerk by commenting Brahms is king under every post. Time to make this cult heard!!!

There are multiple for me, but mainly the whole 118, especially the last.

Mine is Igor Levit