Brahms in Context
Brahms in Context
Brahms in Context offers a fresh perspective on the much-admired nineteenth-century German composer. Including thirty-nine chapters on historical, social and cultural contexts, the book brings together internationally renowned experts in music, law, science, art history and other areas, including many figures whose work is appearing in English for the first time. The essays are accessibly written, with short reading lists aimed at music students and educators. The book opens with personal topics including Brahms's Hamburg childhood, his move to Vienna, and his rich social life. It considers professional matters from finance to publishing and copyright; the musicians who shaped and transmitted his works; and the larger musical styles which influenced him. Casting the net wider, other essays embrace politics, religion, literature, philosophy, art, and science. The book closes with chapters on reception, including recordings, historical performance, his compositional legacy, and a reflection on the power of composer myths.
- An innovative study of Brahms which moves beyond traditional accounts of his life and work
- Features work from international scholars with expertise in music, visual arts, legal history, scientific history and other disciplines
- Includes illuminating extracts from unpublished letters and rarely seen specialist sources such as publishing ledgers
Reviews & endorsements
'… contains much valuable information.' Misha Donat, BBC Music Magazine
'… full of intriguing perspectives on what was thought to be well known.' Laura Tunbridge, The Times Literary Supplement
'Readers are likely to want to dip into this book, and anyone doing so will come across some fascinating material … Brahms in Context is dedicated to the memory of Robert Pascall, whose own work (as writer, analyst and editor) was such an inspiring contribution to Brahms scholarship. Several of his enthusiasts are reflected here and he would, I think, have loved this book.' Nigel Simeone, Gramophone
Product details
June 2019Hardback
9781107163416
432 pages
237 × 160 × 25 mm
0.84kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Childhood in Hamburg Renate Hofmann and Kurt Hofmann
- 2. The Schumanns Thomas Synofzik
- 3. Vienna Camille Crittenden
- 4. Leipzig and Berlin Karen Leistra-Jones
- 5. Personal habits William Horne
- 6. Correspondence Wolfgang Sandberger
- 7. Holidays Inga-Mai Groote
- 8. Finances Jakob Hauschildt
- 9. As pianist Katrin Eich
- 10. As conductor Walter Frisch
- 11. As arranger Valerie Goertzen
- 12. As editor Peter Schmitz
- 13. As teacher Johannes Behr
- 14. Private music-making Katy Hamilton
- 15. Concert life Laurenz Lütteken
- 16. Genre Matthew Gelbart
- 17. Folk music George Bozarth
- 18. Early music Virginia Hancock
- 19. Singers Natasha Loges
- 20. Conductors Leon Botstein
- 21. Pianists Michael Musgrave
- 22. Other instrumentalists Heather Platt
- 23. Instruments Anneke Scott
- 24. Publishers Peter Schmitz
- 25. Copyright Friedemann Kawohl
- 26. Politics and religion David Brodbeck
- 27. Literature Natasha Loges
- 28. Philosophy Nicole Grimes
- 29. Visual arts William Vaughan and Natasha Loges
- 30. Science and technology Myles Jackson and Katy Hamilton
- 31. Germany Johannes Behr
- 32. England Katy Hamilton
- 33. Analysis Heather Platt
- 34. The era of national socialism Ulrike Petersen
- 35. Editing Brahms Michael Struck
- 36. Recordings Ivan Hewett
- 37. Historical performance Michael Musgrave
- 38. Inspiration Markus Böggemann
- 39. Mythmaking Natasha Loges and Katy Hamilton.
