Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (May 7, 1833 – April 3, 1897)

Works

Brahms wrote a number of major works for orchestra, including four symphonies, two piano concertos, a Violin Concerto, a Double Concerto for violin and cello, and the large choral work A German Requiem (Ein deutsches Requiem). The last is notable in not being a traditional, liturgical requiem (Missa pro defunctis), but a setting of texts which Brahms selected from the Luther Bible. Brahms was also a prolific composer in the theme and variation form, having notably composed the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Paganini Variations, and Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn, along with other lesser known sets of variations.

Related Topics:
Symphonies - Piano concerto - Violin Concerto - Double Concerto - A German Requiem - Theme and variation - Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel - Paganini Variations - Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn - Variation

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Brahms also wrote a great deal of work for small forces. His many works of chamber music form part of the core of this repertoire, as does his solo piano music. Brahms is also considered to be among the greatest of composers of lieder, of which he wrote about 200.

Related Topics:
Chamber music - Piano - Lied

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Brahms never wrote an opera, nor did he ever write in the characteristic 19th century form of the tone poem. Brahms strongly believed in absolute music, that is, music that does not rely upon a concrete scene or narrative as the tone poem does.

Related Topics:
Opera - Tone poem

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For a list of works, see List of compositions by Johannes Brahms.

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