Johannes Brahms

Mark E. Bell (Lake Forest College)

Ed. by Gerhard P. Knapp, University of Utah
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

Born 7 May 1833
Died 3 Apr 1897
Activity 1853-1897

Places

Born in Germany
Active in Germany; Austria

Activities

Primary

Composer

Other

Conductor
Musician

Resources

Brahms' Works

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That Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg (on the 7th May 1833) and died in Vienna (on the 3rdApril 1897) has meaning beyond the mere citation of dates and place names. We have become accustomed to thinking of Brahms as the cosmopolitan performer-conductor-composer who moved easily in the musical circles of Leipzig, Mannheim and Vienna, and who composed during vacations in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. There is no question that Brahms was drawn to the south and spent most of his professional life there. It is impossible, however, to understand Brahms the composer, and the performer, without taking into account his north German cultural heritage. Such a birthright carried with it generosity, precision,

schöne Seele

(“beautiful soul”) and tenderness – all of which could easily be…

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2960 words

Citation: Bell, Mark E.. "Johannes Brahms". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 16 August 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=542, accessed 21 November 2024.]