Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon

This book is a collection of essays on various aspects of the life and work of Brahms. There are three main areas of focus - biographical, documentary and analytical. Some essays concentrate on one element, others blend all three. The individual studies include a survey of Brahms's cultural world, accounts of his interest in early choral music and in the music of Mozart, a general description of the difficulties of editing his music, a survey of his symphonic output, and detailed studies of, his Tragic Overture, Fourth symphony, Fantasien op. 116, the song 'Vorüber' op. 58 no7 and the vier ernste Gesänge Op. 121. Designed as part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Brahms's birth, the book contains essays by distinguished American, British and German scholars who each make fresh contributions to knowledge about Brahms.