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The Weight of Expectation

Donald Macleod looks at why Brahms sought solitude and how it came to influence his music.

Donald Macleod looks at why Brahms sought solitude and how it came to influence his music.

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.

Throughout his life, there was a great expectation placed on Brahms鈥檚 shoulders. Today we look at how that shaped his character and music.

Serenade No 1 in D major, Op 11 (2nd movement)
Gewandhausorchester
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Piano Sonata No 2 in F sharp minor, Op 2 (4th movement)
Martin Jones, piano

Vier ernste Ges盲nge, Op 121 (Nos 3 and 4)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
Daniel Barenboim, Piano

Ein Deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem], Op 45 (2nd and 3rd movements))
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for 大象传媒 Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 2 Apr 2021 12:00

Music Played

  • Johannes Brahms

    Serenade No 1 in D major (2nd movement)

    Orchestra: Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • BRAHMS: SERENADES / RICCARDO CHAILLY.
    • DECCA.
    • 2.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Sonata No 2 in F sharp minor (4th movement)

    Performer: Martin Jones.
    • BRAHMS: COMPETE PIANO MUSIC.
    • NUMBUS.
    • 9.
  • Johannes Brahms

    4 Ernste Gesange, Op 121 (Nos 3 and 4)

    Performer: Daniel Barenboim. Singer: Dietrich Fischer鈥怐ieskau.
    • NORMAN, Jessye: LIEDER.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 32.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op 45 (2nd and 3rd movements)

    Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • BRAHMS: DEUTSCHES REQUIEM.
    • EMI.
    • 2.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 Dec 2019 12:00
  • Fri 2 Apr 2021 12:00

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