Johannes Brahms. Life and Letters

This book is the first comprehensive collection of the letters of Johannes Brahms ever to appear in English. Over 550 are included, virtually all uncut, and there are over a dozen published here for the first time in any language. Although he corresponded throughout his life with some of the great performers, composers, musicologists, writers, scientists, and artists of the day, and although thousands of his letters have survived, English readers have until now had scant opportunity to meet Brahms in person, through his own words, and in his own voice.

'I am aware of my bad habit of writing briefly but obscurely', Brahms once wrote to a friend. He was needlessly hard on himself, for his letters describe many significant events in his life, throw light on his friendships and music, and reveal his wit, idealism, intelligence, generosity, sarcasm, and above all his powerful sense of integrity.

The letters in this volume range from 1848 to just before his death. They include all Brahms's letters to Robert Schumann, over a hundred letters to Clara Schumann, and the complete Brahms-Wagner correspondence. They are joined by a running commentary to form an absorbing narrative, documented with scholarly care, provided with comprehensive notes, but written for the general music lover. The result is a lively biography. The work is generously illustrated, and contains several detailed appendices and an index.

CONTENIDO:

Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Part I: Prelude 1833-1852
Part II: One Fateful Year 1853
Part III: Turmoil and Apprenticeship 1854-1858
Part IV: In Hamburg Again 1859-1862
Part V: In Vienna, Sometimes 1863-1870
Part VI: At Home in Vienna 1871-1876
Part VII: Independence 1877-1890
Part VIII: The Final Years 1891-1897
Appendices
A. Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann
B. List of Correspondents
C. Bibliographical Sketches
D. Biographical Dates
E. Sources
F. Brahms Opuses mentioned in the Letters
Bibliography
General Index