![]() ![]() ‘It is a present, a gift, which I ought even to despise until I have made it my own by right of hard work.’ And hard work, the ceaseless pursuit of mastery, was the rule of his life. ‘A thought, an idea, is simply an inspiration from above, for which I am not responsible,’ he remarked. Morning rituals, regular pub visits and the outdoors all helped Brahms find inspiration.īrahms was dismissive of the Romantic notion of inspiration. It epitomises what classical music stands for. Brahms is a model of what a proper, grown-up composer should be, which is why, in an era which prefers quick gratifications, his music now seems peculiarly precious. They show an unflinching respect for truth, both musical and emotional. Brahms’s refusal to revel in straightforward states of feeling and his craftsman’s pride in making every piece as perfect as it could be are two sides of the same coin. But for those who love the music, it’s precisely Brahms’s suspicion of ‘letting go’ that make him treasurable. Understated’ can be a euphemism for inhibited and buttoned-up, two epithets often applied to Brahms. More precious for those who love his music are those ambiguous, understated states of mingled joy and sorrow that run through so many of his works. There are few more intimate utterances in all music than the late piano Intermezzos, and few more radiantly joyous ones than the great G major Sextet. Read more: top Brahms performers pick their favourite worksĪnd yet – again like the man himself – the stern surface hides a wealth of tender feeling.
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