Brahms:
When Johannes Brahms began his musical career, he was a choral coach. He helped singing groups to prepare for performances.
Over the next several years, Brahms held several different positions, including conductor of a women’s choir in Hamburg, Germany, to which he was appointed to in 1859. In 1863 he was named director of the Singakademie, a choral group, where he concentrated on historical and modern a cappella works.
All of Brahms’ symphonies, concertos and chamber works were to follow!!
On this CD, we get to hear the following compositions:
Brahms:
- Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53
- Schicksalslied, Op. 54
- Nänie von Friedrich Schiller, für Chor und Orchester, Op. 82
Performed by Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto <photo top left>), with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Sir Colin Davis
The Alto Rhapsody is a setting of three stanzas from Goethe’s poem ‘Harzreise im Winter’. Combined with the “Schicksalslied” and “Nänie”, these selections provide an excellent example of Brahms’ choral works.
Here is the Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) by Johannes Brahms:
And next, here is “Nänie: Song of Lamentation” by Johannes Brahms (1833-1898) as performed by the University of Memphis Chamber Orchestra and University Singers:
Tags: Johannes Brahms, Choral works, “Nänie: Song of Lamentation”, Alto Rhapsody, Schicksalslied
