MusicSmiles.com
The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg in 1833. He was introduced to Liszt and Schumann, who hailed him as a genius at 20. During his early years he was a teacher, and pianist in theatres and clubs. For a while he accompanied a violin virtuoso, travelling round the world. He became music teacher to a Princess which gave him time to begin serious composing. He was a very strong character who opposed Liszt and Wagner in what he called their 'new music'. Eventually his was regarded as the polar opposite to the Wagnerian School of German music.

Aged 29 he visited Vienna. Here he spent most of his time during the next 35 years, holding posts of musical importance. He was immensely influential in nearly every sphere of musical composition. 

Many have found numerous enjoyable experiences, listening to his masterpieces. For starters may I recommend his 4th Symphony in E minor Opus 98; Violin Concerto in D major Opus 77; Hungarian Dances - feel the Gipsy in them - (take your pick); Variations on a Theme by Haydn (often called the St Anthony Variations); and his Academic Festival Overture. There are more, but these are beauties!

All these are very 'listenable' and are a must for a visit to your local library to borrow the discs! No wonder his genius rubbed off on our Arthur Sullivan. Here we have included just one or two of his well known pieces to whet your appetite.

Click above link to listen . . .

( Click number to view statistics > > >). Scribe thanks all our  223,547 MusicSmiles visitors up to beginning of August, 2010. 

You may find our special effects work best with Microsoft Internet Explorer