Brahms Johannes - German Folk Songs Band 1 - 2 Medium Voices And Piano

SKU: BR.CHB-16001

ISBN 9790004413289. 7.5 x 10.5 inches.

The song cycle Zigeunerlieder (Gypsy Songs) by Johannes Brahms consists of eleven settings of Hungarian folk songs in a German adaptation by Hugo Conrat, which, according to the composer, could be understood to form a novel-like structure. Four more of these were later published as part of the Six Quartets op. 112 (CHB 16000). The cycle originated in a relatively short time in February 1888 and went into print in October 1888, as the editor of the respective volume of the new Brahms complete edition is explaining in detail in the preface. In a way, the Zigeunerlieder op. 103 form the exotic counterpart of the Liebeslieder (Love Songs) op. 52 and op. 65 and the vocal counterpart of the Hungarian Dances. Although Brahms had conceived them for vocal quartets in domestic use, public performances with choirs already happened during his lifetime. This tradition continues until today, taking advantage of modern grand pianos with a larger volume to enable a larger choral scoring.

SKU: CA.940205

ISBN 9790007314439. German/English. Text: Rückert, Friedrich.

“Lösc he die Lampe getrost, hülle in Frieden dich ein” (“Put out thy lamp with good heart, lay thee then peacefully down”) – Johannes Brahms’s final cycle of secular songs for mixed choir a cappella paints a striking picture of mortality, ultimate happiness and lost youth. The 4- to 6-part songs fascinate with their immense power and range of expression, which runs from short, quiet, melancholy phrases (“breathe tremblingly forth”, “O lifeless falleth”) to elements of folk song (the horn calls in Nightwatch II) to mighty climaxes and double-choir effects produced with great economy of means. The closing movement In Autumn, with its idiosyncratic harmonies, is certainly one of Brahms’s best secular compositions.

All the songs are also available separately and as digital editions. The accompanying English text is the translation authorized by the composer himself.