Johannes Brahms is an icon. When you say Johannes, you know it refers to Brahms. The successor to Beethoven, the sober man who took seriousness very seriously, the chief protagonist of the classical tradition, an intimate friend of the Schumanns. But how well do we really know Brahms? How close does he let us come to him through his music? In search of the man who was Brahms, through his Requiem and the music of his good friend Robert Schumann.

Discover this concert on Podium 19.

This event is broadcasted on Podium 19, a new and free culture channel that you can watch on

Podium 19 offers virtual performances and concerts from the Flemish culture houses. More info at www.podium19.be.

concert recorded at Flagey on 21 January, 2021
in collaboration with Evil Penguin TV
with the support of the Belgian Tax Shelter and Belga Films Fund

The death of his mother and his mentor Schumann, two people so close to him marked Brahms – but it also led to the creation of one of his finest works.

Bent over his writing desk, full of sorrow over his loss, Brahms wanted to write music that would nevertheless offer some support: hope for those near him, comfort for the living – and not with a sombre funeral march. Initially, he gave his composition the title Ein menschliches Requiem (A Human Requiem). The monumental composition for orchestra and choir that would become Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) lies far from that intimate beginning. But Brahms did not forget his initial plan: he even transcribed a version for piano 4 hands, soloists and choir: transparent, intimate, colourful and, most importantly, very personal.

In search of the man who was Brahms, we weave some childhood memories of hisgood friend Schumann in between the movements of the Requiem. In his Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), Schumann in turn combined various short works that were close to his heart and through which he thought back, filled with nostalgia, to his own childhood.

programme

Johannes Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem, op. 45
Robert Schumann, Kinderszenen, op. 15 (selection)

Come, come a bit closer: there he is, sitting in his study. Look over his shoulder – what is he working on so intensely? Why that sorrowful glance in his youthful eyes? First his mother, then his good friend and mentor Robert Schumann, two people very dear to him were no more...

discover more

texts

The text to Ein deutsches Requiem, original & translated.

download the text & translation

BBC podcast

How Brahms's work, a tribute to his mother, has touched and changed people's lives.

listen to this podcast

practical

This event is broadcasted on Podium 19, a new and free culture channel that you can watch on

Podium 19 offers virtual performances and concerts from the Flemish culture houses. More info at www.podium19.be.

concert in collaboration with Evil Penguin TV
with the support of the Belgian Tax Shelter & Belga Films Fund