Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms è stato un compositore e pianista tedesco la cui musica ha saputo coniugare la disciplina formale della tradizione classica con la profondità emotiva dell’epoca romantica. Tra i principali compositori del XIX secolo, Brahms ha composto brani per pianoforte, ensemble da camera, orchestra sinfonica, voce e coro.

Nato ad Amburgo nel 1833, Brahms era figlio di un contrabbassista. Ricevette i primi insegnamenti musicali dal padre prima di studiare pianoforte e composizione con Eduard Marxsen, la cui ammirazione per Haydn, Mozart e Beethoven influenzò profondamente il giovane musicista. Già da adolescente, Brahms si esibiva in pubblico e componeva.

Nel 1853 Brahms incontrò il violinista Joseph Joachim, che lo presentò a Robert e Clara Schumann. Schumann riconobbe l’eccezionale talento del giovane compositore e ne sostenne l’opera, mentre Brahms strinse con Clara un’amicizia che durò tutta la vita. Il suo legame con gli Schumann lo introdusse nei circoli musicali dell’epoca e giocò un ruolo importante nello sviluppo artistico del compositore.

Brahms si recò per la prima volta a Vienna nel 1862, dove lavorò come pianista e compositore; si stabilì definitivamente nella città all’inizio degli anni Settanta del XIX secolo. Il suo Requiem tedesco, presentato per la prima volta nella sua forma definitiva nel 1869, segnò la sua affermazione come compositore ampiamente riconosciuto. Tra le altre opere degne di nota di Brahms figurano Die Mainacht op. 43 n. 2, la Rapsodia per contralto e la Sinfonia n. 4.

Brahms era profondamente attento alla struttura musicale, attingendo alle convenzioni barocche e classiche del passato e sviluppandole attraverso ritmi intricati e ricche armonie. Le sue composizioni coniugavano precisione intellettuale, calore e intensità emotiva — qualità particolarmente evidenti nelle sue opere da camera e nei brani per pianoforte della maturità. Brahms morì a Vienna nel 1897.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('J.Br.') to Fritz Simrock ('L[ieber] S[imrock]'), Pressbaum, 19 September 1881, 6 pages, 8vo , bifolium and single leaf, on paper with embossed 'J.B.' (though used upside down). Provenance : Gerd Rosen, Berlin, 10-12 November 1955, catalogue 25 lot 1177.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('Dein / Johannes') to an unidentified recipient ('Theurer Freund'), n.p., n.d. [dated in pencil 'Nach 7. Mai 1896'], 2½ pages, 8vo , bifolium.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('Johannes Brahms') to the Hamburg musician Georg Dietrich Otten, postmarked Düsseldorf, 26 February [1856], 2 pages, large 4to (285 x 237mm) (tear across centre fold, approx 130mm, and to lower margin, approx 10mm, repaired with old tape), integral address leaf, clear impression of Brahms's seal with the initials 'J.B.' in red wax (seal tear). Provenance : sale at Henrici, Berlin, 1929; collection of Dr Fritz and Dita Callomon; The Collector , November 1951, vol. LXIV, no.10.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) and others

Autograph quotation, the opening four bars of the Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, signed ('Zu frdl. Erinnerung / J. Brahms'), Vienna, 27 April 1884

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('J. Brahms') to [his friend Julius Otto Grimm], n.p. [Vienna], n.d. [early March 1890], inviting him to a choral concert in Cologne on the 13th at which he will hear 'all sorts of estimable choral music, a heap of motets by me, and a piece that must necessarily interest you', for Brahms has brushed off a trio from their youth (the op.8, which he had just revised) and 'if not given it a wig, at least combed and tidied its hair'; the prospect of seeing Grimm again makes him 'as happy as a snow-king', 2½ pages, 8vo , bifolium (minor spotting). Provenance : collection of Dr Fritz and Dita Callomon, and thence by gift.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897)

Autograph musical quotation signed (‘Johannes Brahms’), the opening four bars of the Violin Concerto, Op.77, n.p. [Vienna], 29 January [18]96.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('Johannes') to [his friend Julius Otto] Grimm, n.p. [Hamburg], December 1859, a letter of warm friendship referring to a promised parcel of compositions he has been daily reminded to send, complaining of his lack of free time, mentioning his intention to write things that he could not say during their last meeting, and asking Grimm's opinion on the compositions, 2 pages, 8vo , bifolium. Provenance : Liepmannsohn, Berlin, 1928; collection of Dr Fritz and Dita Callomon, and thence by gift, 1950.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed to [Dr Adolph Kauffman], n.p., April 1879. two pages, 8vo , bifolium (short tears at folds and upper margin, repaired with tape). Provenance : collection of Dr Fritz and Dita Callomon, and thence by gift.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897)

Autograph letter signed ('J. Br.') to 'S' [his publisher, Fritz Simrock], Vienna, 4 December 1878.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897)

Autograph letter signed ('J. Brahms') to an unidentified 'Herr Dr.' [probably Ferdinand Hiller], n.p., n.d. [autumn 1883].

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897)

Autograph letter signed ('J. Br.') to 'S' [his publisher, Fritz Simrock], Vienna, 15 December 1893.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed to 'Herr und ... Frau S' [his friend and publisher, Fritz Simrock, and his wife], [Vienna, 3 November 1875], a high-spirited letter beginning with thanks for 'the excellent and interesting parcel -- I am just wiping my mouth -- if only I could write symphonies like that! [Haben Sie schönsten Dank für die vortreffliche und interessante Sendung -- ich wische mir eben den Mund -- ja, wenn ich solche Sinfonien machen könnte!]', and continuing the gastronomic idiom into a discussion of a proposed song cycle, for which he has 'composed the cover and the compass, but as for the contents! [Umschlag wie Umfang schon componiert, dann aber der Inhalt!]', and an attack on certain critics, who only feign an interest in his works out of politeness ('Es ist auch blos Artigkeit wenn er bei meinen Sachen eine Ausnahme macht und Interesse heuchelt'); concluding with a rush to the piano, before another toast to their health ('Jetzt aber muß ich wieder ans Clavier ... dann trinke ich noch ein Glas auf die "Zierde der Firma"'), 4 pages, 8vo , bifolium.

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph note signed (‘J. Brahms’) to Adele Passy-Cornet, [postmarked Vienna, 17 October ?1875], asking that she be so kind as to renew her invitation at a somewhat later date, as he is expecting some friends any day who will occupy his evenings (‘Ich erwarte die Tage einige Freunde die meine freien (namentlich Abend-) stunden in Ansprung nehmen warden. Dürfte ich Sie deshalb bitten mir die freundl. Einladung etwas später zu gönnen?’), one page , oblong 8vo (83 x 117mm) , on a correspondence card.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Autograph letter signed ('J. Br.') to [Ernst Frank], [Pörtschach, late June 1878]

BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897)

Document signed and dated (‘Johs Brahms Wien Febr. 20’), a part-printed contract agreeing the copyright to his piano arrangement of a gavotte by Gluck, Anh. Ia/2, Vienna, 20 February 1872.