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The Gospel of Johannes

Donald Macleod explores Brahms's early encounters with Robert and Clara Schumann.

Donald Macleod explores Brahms鈥檚 early encounters with Robert and Clara Schumann.

Brahms was a deeply private man and very guarded about his life, his friends and his feelings. Across this week, Donald goes 鈥淏ehind Closed Doors鈥 with Brahms to discover what really made him tick. He finds friends, mentors and lovers along the way who together help solve the enigma of the composer.

Clara Schumann is probably the person Brahms was closest to in his life. Today, we explore their first meeting, and how she was in awe of the young composer鈥檚 talent from the start.

2 Gavottes, WoO 3 (Nos 1 and 2)
Louis Demetrius Alvanis, piano

Piano Sonata No 1 in C major, Op 1 (1. Allegro)
Sviatoslav Richter, piano

6 Songs, Op 3 (Nos 2 and 3)
Benjamin Appl, baritone
Graham Johnson, piano

Piano Quartet, Op 25 (3rd and 4th movements)
Emanuel Ax, Piano
Isaac Stern, Violin
Jamie Laredo, Viola
Yo-yo Ma, Cello

String Sextet No 1in B flat major, Op 18 (2nd movement)
Amadeus Quartet

Producer: Glyn Tansley for 大象传媒 Wales

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Johannes Brahms

    Gavotte in A minor for piano

    Performer: Louis Demetrius Alvanis.
    • MUSIC Vol.2 - BRAHMS HUNGARIAN DANCE.
    • MERIDIAN.
    • 14.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Gavotte in A major for piano

    Performer: Louis Demetrius Alvanis.
    • MUSIC Vol.2 - BRAHMS HUNGARIAN DANCE.
    • MERIDIAN.
    • 14.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Sonata No 1 in C major, Op 1 (1st movement)

    Performer: Sviatoslav Richter.
    • Brahms: Piano Sonatas No.1 & 2.
    • DECCA.
    • 1.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Liebe und Fruhling I and II (6 Songs, Op 3)

    Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: Benjamin Appl.
    • The Songs of Johannes Brahms - 7.
    • HYPERION.
    • 1.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor, Op 25 (3rd and 4th movements)

    Performer: Emanuel Ax. Performer: Isaac Stern. Performer: Jaime Laredo. Performer: Yo鈥怸o Ma.
    • Brahms: The Piano Quartets.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 3.
  • Johannes Brahms

    String Sextet No 1 in B flat major, Op 18 (2nd movement)

    Ensemble: Amadeus Quartet.
    • Amadeus quartet: string quartets; quintets etc..
    • DEUTCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 2.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 17 Dec 2019 12:00
  • Tue 30 Mar 2021 12:00

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