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Clara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman by Nancy B. Reich  (6)  $15.38

The Cambridge Companion to Brahms (Cambridge Companions to Music) by Michael Musgrave  (1)  $30.50

Brahms: His Life And Work (Da Capo Paperback) by Karl Geiringer  (2)  $18.00

A Brahms Reader by Michael Musgrave $25.00

Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age" by John Daverio  (3)  $60.00

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From Library Journal
Avins, a cellist and musicologist at Drew University, has filled a conspicuous lacuna in Brahms scholarship, as no general collection of Brahms's letters had ever before been translated into English. Avins, who completed the editing of this massive tome in time for the centennial of Brahms's death, acknowledges at the outset that the composer was a reluctant letter-writer. Among the 564 letters in this volume, one will not find passages of great literary beauty, nor are there profound exegeses on the nature of aesthetics. Letters, for Brahms, were for the most part utilitarian, and he destroyed many that he considered too personal and revealing. Nonetheless, his distinctive personality shines forth in each one?gruff and impatient (with violinist Joachim and his publisher Simrock), gracious and humble (with Clara Schumann), good-natured and jovial (again to Joachim, now in a better mood). Avins has arranged the letters into eight chronological sections, and her prefaces to each, in addition to her extensive footnotes and commentary, help to provide the needed context. In the process, certain durable legends about Brahms?the shy teen playing piano in the brothels of Hamburg, for example?are neatly debunked. This is a work that will thrill Brahms fans and provide much pleasure for those entertained by the personal correspondence of great artists. Recommended for general and academic libraries.?Larry A. Lipkis, Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, Pa.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

The Wall Street Journal, Harvey Sachs
This biography-cum-autobiography will give great pleasure to lay readers as well as specialists. All of the letters are fascinating.... --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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First Sentence:
When Johannes Brahms was born, on the seventh of May 1833, in Hamburg, there was never a doubt in the minds of his parents but that he would become a musician. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
greeted most warmly, very best greetings, very warm greetings, court conductor, counterpoint exchange, warmest greetings, new piano pieces, revered lady, esteemed letter, sincere greetings, esteemed gentlemen, thousand greetings, string sextet, solo quartets, piano quartet, esteemed lady, cello sonata, supplemental volume, dear letter, heartfelt greetings, minor sonata, many greetings, piano quintet, new symphony, piano reduction Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, Joseph Joachim, Frau Schumann, Johann Jakob, Robert Schumann, Fritz Simrock, <