Happy Birthday, Johannes and Pyotr

[filkertom]

Brahms in 1833, Tchaikovsky in 1840. Which is really weird to me -- I don't think of them as contemporaries, but they certainly were.

Any particular works of theirs you love? While I love the sound of Brahms whenever I hear it, especially his symphonies, his piano work -- especially the ballades and quintets -- is exciting and satisfying. And, with Tchaikovsky I simply can't pick favorites. The guy was fantastic, top to bottom, and I don't think I've ever heard any of his music I didn't like.

Comments

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Tschaikovsky: Capriccio Italien and Slavonic March. I still love the 1812 Overture despite it being overplaying (not so much The Nutcracker, because it is overplayed more than 1812, although portions of it are fantastic).

Brahms: The Hungarian Dances, even if #5 always makes me think of shaving and #4 makes me think of Ron Moody and Frank Langella.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Tchaikovsky: the symphonic poem Hamlet

Brahms: double concerto

[patoadam]

Tchaikovsky: violin concerto

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

[trying this again to get the quotes right]

Brahms' Ein deutsches Reqiuem ("A German Requiem") and his Symphony #1. Hands down.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Ever hear Brahms' Lullaby played by a one-man band?

Good stuff!

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Brahms's choral motet on Psalm 51. I love singing it.

OT but...

[eleri.livejournal.com]

one should never pass up a chance to pimp your stuff

It saves me from trying to come up with something that rhymes with 'boisterous budgerigars'...

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

If you really want some fun with these two, pick up the Leonard & Larry (http://www.leonardandlarry.com/news.htm) collections. This is an ongoing series about two middle-aged gay men living in West LA dealing with life, ex-wives, Jewish mothers, and, well, real life. Very well done.

Why do I recommend it? One of the minor characters keeps having dreams featuring Brahms and Tchaikovsky (or, as they refer to themselves, Joe and Pete.) The characters take on a life of their own, fully aware that they are in a comic strip, demanding rewrites, and generally smashing the fourth wall with glee.

Buying the books is worth it just for the "A violinist? EWWWW!" moment.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

Brahms' 1st & 3rd Symphonies are excellent. The first movement of the 4th is an absolute jaw-dropper! I remember reading Leonard Bernstein's analysis of it, where he makes a point about Brahms having built something out of nothing.

The 1812 is such a seminal part of my upbringing (my brother & I acted out sketches to it!) that I cannot imagine life without it. It's one of the few pieces of music that can genuinely bring me to tears or to standing and cheering. It was also one of the records I used to sneak into my sister's room to listen to.