What Brahms next?

[JacqueslePeacock]

I am developing a slight obsession with Brahms. I have the two piano concertos on a top-volume loop, and I love Symphony 1 and the German Requiem. But are there other great Brahms works I might be missing? Or anything similar I might like but not have thought of? All suggestions much appreciated!

Have you listened to any of the solo piano works? The intermezzi and rhapsodies etc? Imo they are definitely worth investigating. The rhapsodies are bombastic and exciting. The intermezzi go from gossamer-like visions of loveliness at the start of his composing career to the introspective chromatic (ie foreshadowing the breakdown in tonality that he was definitely pushing towards) and heartbreakingly beautiful reflectiveness that you would associate with a man towards the end of his years. I have been listening to and playing them for years and still now find nuances and corners that I haven't spotted before. He really knew how to use a piano.

Oh and my favourite symphony is the 2nd. Especially the arching and lyrical, bittersweet 3rd movement. But all of them are good.

The clarinet quintet is ravishing, as are the violinand piano sonatas. In fact I heartily recommend any of his chamber works.

Ooh yes, the sonatas are lovely. Brahms is ace, isn't he?

OP, just listen to anything he wrote. He is fucking marvellous.

I was a pro classical musician, and Brahms is handsdown my favourite composer. Can't think of a single thing he wrote that I don't love.

Variations on a theme of Haydn(St Anthony Variations)?

Clarinet Quintet is one of my all time favourite pieces.

Listen to the 2 string sextets, B flat first as it is an early , more joyful piece, then the G Major.

The C minor piano Quartet is absolutely wonderful, and the slow movement starts with one of the most beautiful moments anywhere. The other piano quartets are also wonderful and the last movement of the G minor is a lot of fun, if you want something rollicking.

The B major trio is incredibly warm and romantic.

F major cello sonata is gorgeous, as is the E flat (especially the first movement).

Try the two songs for alto and viola, especially the first.

Ooh, thank you so much for all these wonderful recommendations! I don't know the solo piano works so that will be next on my list, along with Symphony 2.

The violin sonatas I have already, and love - I forgot them in my OP.

I've never heard of the St Anthony Variations so will look that up along with the long list of things in your post, ClaraSchu! So much to look forward to.

Oh yes, the songs for alto and viola are gorgeous!!!

The double concerto for violin and cello and orchestra! Especially the last movement.

Sorry, E minor cello sonata, not e flat. I don't know what I was thinking.
YES to the double concerto, also the wonderful violin concerto. The slow movement will break your heart.

I love the Brahms horn trio.

And the first Hungarian dance. I prefer the solo piano version.

How has nobody mentioned this yet?

Symphony no 4 in E minor

Rhapsody in G Minor.

Particularly when Marta Argerich does it.

His Third Symphony was the first piece of classical music that I really 'got' and I've loved Brahms ever since. The famous Lullaby is a bit of a cliche but is very lovely and makes you dream of good things.

Nanie.....there are some accents on that but can't remember what. amazing single movement for choir and orchestra.