Great Masters: Brahms-His Life and Music

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

Johannes Brahms was a man of contrasts. His serious Teutonic music was balanced by joyful dance music. His miserliness with himself by exceeding generosity with family and associates. His kindness to working people with a biting, malicious wit reserved for those he encountered in artistic and aristocratic circles.

He was not an easy man to know, destroying a good deal of his own work and almost all of his lifetime's correspondence, in later years even collecting his letters from friends so that he could consign them to the flames.

Yet you can know this enigmatic genius through this 8-lecture series, which uses biographical information and musical commentary to link the complexities of Brahms the man with the electrifying music of Brahms the composer.You'll learn how Brahms found unique ways of combining the rigor and formal complexity of older Classical and even Baroque genres and forms with the melodic inventiveness, harmonic sophistication, and expressive richness so prized in the Romantic age. And how his fanatical perfectionism led him to write, rewrite, and ultimately destroy more than 20 string quartets before publishing a pair of exceptionally exquisite pieces at the age of 40, breathing new life into the old bones of this exacting chamber music form.

"His legacy," notes Professor Greenberg, "is a lifetime of extraordinary craft and artistic beauty without an inferior piece in the collection."

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2002 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2002 The Great Courses

Loved it!

Each of these courses draws me in and illuminates so much that is new to me even with a masters degree in music. Can't wait to hear the next one!

Excellent

I only wish it were a few lectures longer. Would have liked to have learned more about his relationship with Dvorak, for example. What he did cover was fantastic and I learned a lot. The lectures are very well organized, easy to follow and entertaining. I appreciate the samples of the music included

Superb Listening

After this I will indéed listen to the music the Professor recommends. This was so educational, yet amusing at the same time. I will listen to this course more than once.

Listen to my music and leave me alone

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, Dr. Greenberg does a wonderful job brining these composers to life. This is my third course by Dr. Greenberg and I have enjoyed each one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr Greenberg's jokes might be adolesant, yet at the same time he does enliven these courses. He also knows his stuff.

What about Professor Robert Greenberg’s performance did you like?

his enthusiasm is fantastic

Any additional comments?

These courses are a great way to learn about composers and classical music. I plan on listening to all his courses and many others in the great courses series.

Professor Greenberg excels again

Once again Robert Greenberg has delivered a truly fine series of lectures.The music speaks for itself but the good Professor makes it both interesting and exciting.

An amazing biography!

Researched and told by an amazing music historian and professor, Robert Greenberg. Thank you for your work, professor!

Educational and entertaining

A good general review of Brahms, his life and his music. I also enjoyed the music samples.

First class introduction to a wonderful composer

How have I gone so long in life getting so much joy from the works of Brahms without understanding something of this great composer and his life. How many times has my heart been lifted listening to his violin and piano concerti, his symphonies -- oh, why did I start making a list, all his works are all wonderful.

Upon downloading this series of lectures,a new and eminently accessible view of Brahms was revealed. I've only just finished listening and I am still under its spell.

Yet, for the listener who knows little or nothing about classical music, let alone who Brahms actually is, this would be an inspiring introduction. Professor Greenburg is funny, insightful, compassionate, and at times, delightfully satirical -- in short, a clever and effective communicator. Infectious, really.

Awesome Lecture

Hearing more details about Brahms and his life, helps me even more deeply appreciate his musical genius.

Well-rounded history of Brahms

Overall a interesting and engaging story about Brahms. Occasionally, we get hear well-chosen snippets of Brahms works. The author is almost too excited to tell the story.