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Johannes Brahms: Life and Letters

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The virtues of this book are several: about 800 previously untranslated letters of Brahms, masterfully translated and carefully and judiciously annotated, based on research entirely from source materials which, among other things, give the lie to the unsavory myths of Brahms childhood, proving beyond doubt that he came from a hard-working, well-meaning family who lived in a good neighborhood, and provided him with a good education and normal childhood. The author's research confines to the rubbish heap the silly Freudian theories, never based on any evidence, for his reasons for not marrying. This compendium of letters and their absorbingly written annotation is a gold mine for amateurs and professionals interested in a truthful picture of Brahms.

"Johannes Brahms, Life and Letters" is a new biography published by Oxford Univ. Press and is based on the composer's letters. The letters were selected and annotated by Styra Avins and its 550 complete letters which constitute the first such general collection of letters in English, were translated by Josef Eisinger and Styra Avins. The book also contains 48 rare photos, detailed notes and appendices (e.g. on Brahms and Clara Schumann), and a bibliography. The lively text joining the letters is based on the latest Brahms scholarship and provides a fresh view of the composer's life, much of it in his own words. It sheds new light on the early life of Brahms, his numerous friendships, his family, his work, his character and his personality. A well-written book which will heighten anyone's appreciation of the man and of his music. Highly recommended to lovers of biography and music.

I'v been a Brahms' music fan for a long time and i have read three different biographies, without having the opportunity of get closer to his thoughts before i buy this great book. Now I know how Brahms' mind worked, how (really) was his relationship with his friends and how were his feelings and thoughts during the periods he composed that wonderful music.

I'm not an english born speaker, so i had some difficulties in understand the meaning of some sentences, more exactly, some modisms, wich are very frecuent in Brahms' speech.

In spite of this, I recommend this book because it's just wonderful.

Unfortunately, Jan Swafford did not have a chance to read this book before writing his own "biograohy" of Brahms. If he had, he would have been privy to a wealth of information, much of which has not been available to non-german speakers. Avins' commentary on the letters of Brahms and many of his correspondents is clear and well researched.

"Richly informative" - Sunday Times, London. "Occasionally a book comes along which changes perceptions of its subject. This is such a book. ... [The] annotations are not only scholarly but often witty and always full of common sense. ... Wherever you read, you will feel you are in Brahms's world and that he is speaking to you." - Sunday Telegraph, London. "There are many gems here ... much to be gleaned from what Avins has selected.. Those who seek to be on more intimate terms with Brahms and his circle... will find much to pore over in this collection" - Los Angeles Times. "Little short of a bombshell ... Ms. Avins's contributions are terse and often illuminating... fascinating illustrations, a helpful chronological table and other tools... Brahms reveals himself in workaday as well as transcendent moods." - New York Times. "This is a work that will thrill Brahms fans and provide much pleasure to those entertained by the personal correspondence of great artists. Recommended for general and academic libraries." - Library Journal. "It is not much of an exaggeration to say that the book presents Brahms in a new but quite convincing light... the book can be read as a biography... this composer has seldom seemed more lovable, more vulnerable, more honorable." - Gramophone. "This is one of the most important music books published in recent years." - The Oldie, London.

Just a couple of small observations:

**** The 27th of February 1854 was the most devastating day of Brahms' life. Robert Schumann threw himself into the Rhine in an attempt at suicide. His derangement interrupted a period of enormous creative momentum in the young composer's life (P36).

After the tragedy, Brahms' immediate reaction was to rush from Hanover to Dusseldorf, to Clara Schumann's side. With the support of Grimm, Dietrich and Joachim, he offered what help he could. There were six small Schumann children to be cared for, Clara was pregnant with the seventh, and arrangements had to be made for Robert Physical safety (he would soon be taken to an asylum in Endenich, on the outskirts of Bonn) (P37). On 11 June 1854, Clara gave birth to her eighth (!!!!????) and last child, Felix. (P45).

Was Felix the Seventh ??? All my references indicate that Clara Schumann raised seven children, an eighth died in infancy.

Perhaps herebelow is additional explanation:

Clara and Robert Schumann's children were;
1-Marie (1841-1929),
2-Elise (1843-1928),
3-Julie (1845-72),
4-Emil (1846-47),
5-Ludwig (1848-99) at 12 he showed signs of mental deterioration!
6-Ferdinand (1849-91),
7-Eugenie (1851-1938),
8-Felix (born 11 July 1854- died 18 February 1879 from tuberculosis).

Robert Schumann died on 29/7/1856

Seven of the above children were still living when their father died. Hence Clara actually reared seven children because their son Emil died in infancy, whereas she actually gave birth to eight.


**** WAS IT CLARA'S COMPLEX that caused Brahms to fear public appearances, when he was 23-25(??); given the fact that Clara was an excellent pianist with no equal, and Brahms could not have possibly matched her skills.

""J. Brahms wrote copiously to Clara, not only during this tour (1854), but for the next two years as well. For a time he was writing at least once a day, thereby leaving us a treasury of letters which overflow with emotions, and the details of his existence"".
It looks to me Brahms feared the public, in general. See JB letter to Julius Otto Grimm; ""Dusseldorf September 1855...I intend to play in public this winter and notice with horror that my aversion to playing for people has got quite out of hand. How will it go? At times I am seriously frightened. I do now practice a lot; also I have quite a lot of lessons to give.... (P112)""... Anything to do with Clara's complex!!! I ask??
""Brahms first appearance with orchestra took place in Bremen, on November 20, 1855. He played two works by Beethoven: The Emperor Concerto, OP.73, and the solo Fantasy in G minor, OP.77. (P114)
The greatest portion of what we know about him during these earlier periods of his life comes from what he wrote to Clara (P66).
Clara told in her diary his letters were her only joy. She too wrote frequently except that her replies have perished `I have often written to him, which always cheers me up, for of course, I cannot write to Robert of the things that occupy my mind; his spirit does not accompany me, when I go into a concert it does not feel me as if he were wishing me success - then I am dreadfully melancholy, and the one thing that lifts me , that always strengthens me, when my courage threatens to fail, is that He, Johannes, the dearest, most faithful friend, thinks of me and accompanies me with his good wishes"" .

The letters which still exist are only a portion of what he wrote.

""JB to Clara Dusseldorf 22/2/1856. .... I think to myself how beautiful it would be if we both made really vigorous strides and became capable, great musicians. Each of us places the other above himself, what is more natural but that we should squabble with each other, as long as we squabble only with each other..... (P121) Prior to that, on Feb 12, Brahms wrote Clara: ""It always depresses me a little that I am still not a proper musician, but I have the talent for it, more, probably, than is usual in young people nowadays.... (See comments on Mozart) (P120)""

Readers should not venture to promote psychological probings ....

Note that this book is a biography of Johannes Brahms, based on his letters. The author is Styra Avins, and the letters were translated by Josef Eisinger and Styra Avins.
Amazon please take notice and correct your book description!