A Brahms reader

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a multifaceted figure, excelling as a composer, pianist, conductor, editor, scholar, collector, and friend to many notable individuals. In this enlightening work, eminent Brahms scholar Michael Musgrave offers a comprehensive account of the composer's private and professional lives. Utilizing a wealth of documentary materials, Musgrave illuminates Brahms's character, his perspective as a composer, and his relationships with contemporaries like Robert and Clara Schumann. The narrative explores his roles as a pianist and conductor, his scholarly interests, social life, and travels, as well as the critical reception of his music over time. The book extensively quotes Brahms's own words and those of his contemporaries, drawing from letters, reminiscences, early biographies, and critiques to provide a rich source of information about the composer. Musgrave contextualizes these materials, identifies sources in detail, and includes a glossary of key individuals, along with notes on recent research. This engaging biographical work, complemented by a gallery of illustrations, will resonate with both general music lovers and scholars interested in Brahms.