Brahms

[dave b]

What work/piece is Brahms best known for, and what instrument(s)?  A symphony? Concerto? In particular. Thanks. Tough question and unfocused, I know. Another way of putting it is this way: I am going to delve into Brahms' music a bit. Where should I go first? What are his "standard" works? Thanks in advance.

[Lethevich]

The most well-known pieces would probably be the Requiem, 1st and 4th symphonies and two piano concerti. But due to his constant inspiration and skill, literaly all of his works are towering greats. The chamber music in particular is so uniformly brilliant that it's hard for a single one to gain notice over all the others.

This budget set would be an excellent introduction to his chamber music, if you were willing to buy so many discs in one box.

[The new erato]

I thoughy his Wiegenlied was his only hit?

[longears]

I would start with whatever genre you most like.  Brahms was one of the few supremely accomplished musicians who composed superb pieces across the board.  If you like concertos, I'd suggest either his d minor piano concerto or his violin concerto.  If you like grand choral music, then go with his German Requiem.  If you're into smaller scale vocal music, then go for his Liebeslieder Walzer.  For chamber music, I'd suggest his piano quintet--or if you like even more intimate music, start with any of the violin sonatas.

Pretty much anywhere you choose to dive in, you will find great music.  To me, Brahms was an oddity among late Romantics--his music is expansive but not excessive.  He edited and revised with a classical rigor, and did not publish pieces that did not meet his own very high standards.

Have at it, and have fun!

[Bogey]

To me, Brahms was an oddity among late Romantics--his music is expansive but not excessive. 

Simply great writing on your part here David.  Perfectly put.

[longears]

Simply great writing on your part here David.  Perfectly put.

I guess that means you agree, eh, Bill?  Thanks for the compliment.  No doubt we'll see one or two who disagree and think there's nothing excessive about certain of his contemporaries and demand to be shown exactly which bars are excessive and should be cut, etc.   

[BachQ]

op 15
op 24
op 83

[Bogey]

I guess that means you agree, eh, Bill?  Thanks for the compliment.  No doubt we'll see one or two who disagree and think there's nothing excessive about certain of his contemporaries and demand to be shown exactly which bars are excessive and should be cut, etc.   

Another reason that I see where you are coming from here David is that I keep waiting for my Brahms cd collection to explode and begin to overflow.  However, what I have so far (which is not much in number) is what I consider a very fine "concentrate" "critical mass" of music from this composer and I can see volume (unless one has many multiple recordings) not being a factor anytime soon.

[BachQ]

"concentrate" of music

sorta like a "critical mass" of music ......

[dave b]

Any particular orchestras or performers stand out re Brahms? (I notice that certain orchestras are sometimes more strongly recommended than others when it comes to certain composers.)

[Bogey]

sorta like a "critical mass" of music ......

Even better.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

My Brahms recommendations:

Clarinet Quintet
Second String Sextet
Symphonies (all of them)
Alto Rhapsody
German Requiem
Second Piano Concerto
Double Concerto

et cetera...

[hornteacher]

The Violin Concerto is a must.  It ranks with the Beethoven and Mendelssohn as one of the best ever written.

Also the Four Symphonies, the Two Piano Concertos, Clarinet Quintet, German Requiem, and String Sextet #2.

For shorter, lighter works there is the Horn Trio, Academic Festival Overture, and Hungarian Dances.

[not edward]

Most of the standard recommendations have been covered already.

I'll just mention that for me, Brahms is second to none as a composer of chamber music. If you have any love of chamber music at all, almost everything Brahms did in that genre is essential.

[Que]

Any particular orchestras or performers stand out re Brahms? (I notice that certain orchestras are sometimes more strongly recommended than others when it comes to certain composers.)

Check this thread: Brahms Symphony Cycles.

Q

[ChamberNut]

Brahms was so self-critical and picky a composer, in terms of what he decided to publish of his works, that all of his works are excellent.

Start anywhere you like, really. 

I'll throw in one that hasn't yet been mentioned - his 3 Piano Quartets, especially Op. 25 and Op. 60 "Werther"

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Brahms was so self-critical and picky a composer, in terms of what he decided to publish of his works, that all of his works are excellent.

Start anywhere you like, really. 

I'll throw in one that hasn't yet been mentioned - his 3 Piano Quartets, especially Op. 25 and Op. 60 "Werther"

Yes, you're right! The piano quartets... In spite of his extreme self-criticism, Brahms has still left us so much that you (i.e. I) can easily 'forget' some of his (master)pieces...

Johan

[Israfel the Black]

Piano Concertos are key. I'd say his Cello Sonatas and then his Symphonies next.

[quintett op.57]

For me :

Requiem
PC 2
Piano Quintet
Cello sonata 1

[rappy]

Everything.