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This book is annotated general collection of 564 of Brahms's letters translated into English. Most of these letters have been published in other works, but it does contain some “new” letters as well. It is divided into parts by primarily by topic area (“Prelude” – formative years, “Turmoil and Apprenticeship” – 1854-1858, etc.), but also subdivided by individual years. It contains a fairly lengthy chronology of events significant in Brahms's life, a select bibliography, biographical sketches of those who corresponded with Brahms, an index of musical compositions referred to in the letters, and a general index. There is also an appendix about the relationship between Brahms and Clara Schumann. It is a good source for information about what the composer was thinking and feeling during the different periods of his life, with a concerted attempt by the translators to keep the tone of the message intact.
What makes this book particularly good is the 24-p. section of plates between p. 420 and 421. Not only are there many photos of Brahms from throughout his life (including several before he acquired his famous beard), but there are also portraits and other illustrations of people and places significant in his life.
This book is a collection of essays meant to view Brahms within the context of his relationship to life in Vienna . It includes commentaries and analyses about his personal relationships, how his music was understood during his lifetime, and memoirs from Brahms's students. Of particular interest is Leon Botstein's essay “Time and Memory: Concert Life, Science, and Music in Brahms's Vienna .” It addresses 19 th century thought regarding acoustics, science, and aesthetics. (pp. 3-22, contains bibliographical references).
This biography is written in an easy-to-read, non-technical language and includes useful insights into Brahms's life. It contains a few musical examples, illustrations of Brahms, and an appendix “Brahms as a Reader and Collector,” reprinted from Musical Quarterly 19/2 (April 1933). It is divided into three parts: “His Life”, “His Work”, and “The Man and the Artist”. “His Life” is further subdivided into periods (pp. 3-177). Information is cited from many previously unpublished letters, and contains an appendix about Brahms's correspondences. The book includes a bibliography and index.
This is the most extensive life-and-works written to date, and it is by a contemporary of Brahms. As it is written in German, it will not be of much use to the average undergraduate researcher, but it is included in this list because it is the definitive contemporary work about Brahms's life and is cited in most of the literature.
Florence May's two-volume biography of Brahms is one of the oft-cited sources of information from a contemporary. First published in 1905, the set begins with a chapter of vignettes the author remembered from her experiences with Brahms as a sometime student and friend. It is then divided into chapters covering two to three years each of Brahms's life, following an initial chapter about his childhood. The table of contents is useful in that it provides an index of topics covered in each chapter. The work includes leaves of plates, (some of which are portraits), reproductions of correspondence and drafts of musical compositions, a catalog of Brahms's works, and an index. Note: UNC's copy of Volume 1 appears to have been chewed by a dog.
Topically-ordered book describing Brahms as a man, a composer, a performer, a music scholar, in terms of his friendships and travels, and in perspective as he was received in England and France as well as how he is viewed in the present day. It contains illustrations, portraits, biographical sketches of Brahms's most often cited colleagues and friends, extensive biographical references, and an index of names.
Swafford's book is one of the leading current biographies. Written for the centennial of Brahms's death, it provides excellent coverage of the events of the composer's life with references to pertinent musical examples. It is organized chronologically and as such, is much better read cover-to-cover than simply viewing a few chapters, unless the intent is to look for comparison points with other books. It contains several plates of illustrations, mostly found in other works. Also includes footnotes, an extensive bibliography, and an index.