Brahms

This volume forms part of the "Life and Times" series of compact and accessible biographies which cover key political, literary and musical figures. This title is about the life and work of German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-97) who was one of the seminal musical figures of the 19th century. He shot to fame as a dashing young composer "the one who had to come" according to Robert Schumann. He consciously "switched" this image, refashioning himself as the elder statesman of German music, the heir to Bach and Beethoven. The internal conflict between romantic lion and "eminence grise" enlivened his music, which influenced nearly every composer who followed him.
 
This volume forms part of the "Life and Times" series of compact and accessible biographies which cover key political, literary and musical figures. This title is about the life and work of German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-97) who was one of the seminal musical figures of the 19th century. He shot to fame as a dashing young composer "the one who had to come" according to Robert Schumann. He consciously "switched" this image, refashioning himself as the elder statesman of German music, the heir to Bach and Beethoven. The internal conflict between romantic lion and "eminence grise" enlivened his music, which influenced nearly every composer who followed him.