180th Birth Anniversary of Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms - C. Brasch, Berlin

"It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table."  ~Johannes Brahms

One of the Three Bs - Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms - Johannes Brahms gave the world a magnificent repertoire of traditionally classical as well as innovative music.  His work, "Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht" ("Good evening, good night"), Op. 49, No. 4. became widely known as "Brahms's Lullaby." Another of his familiar works is Hungarian Dance No. 5. But his works ranged beyond these highly popular works and included compositions in various genres, such as orchestral, vocal, and chamber among others. He also had a very interesting personality, living simply and according to his own standards, but was known to be difficult and curmudgeonly at times. However he was also known for his great loyalty and generosity to those nearest him, which was reciprocated by them. He was born a Lutheran, but he tended toward humanistic beliefs. He never married, but held a close, lifelong friendship with Clara Schumann, wife of Robert Schumann.