Brahms in Context

Offers new perspectives on the nineteenth-century composer Johannes Brahms - from his childhood and personal matters to his compositional legacy.

Natasha Loges (Edited by), Katy Hamilton (Edited by)

9781107163416, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 May 2019

432 pages
23.7 x 16 x 2.5 cm, 0.84 kg

'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

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH], Classical music [c 1750 to c 1830 AVGC4], Western "classical" music [AVGC], Music [AV]