A Blessing of Brahms

Both early and late in life, the special power of organ music spoke profoundly through the art of Johannes Brahms [1833-1897]. This centenary tribute includes it all.

In his teens, while studying with Robert and Clara Schumann, Brahms thought of becoming a professional organist, but gave up the notion as being fiscally impractical. His four early works show that he well understood the instrument’s potential. His very last compositions, the Chorale-preludes, were dedicated to the memory of his lifelong friend, Clara Schumann.

This program provides a sampler overview of available Brahms recordings, many of which individually emcompass Brahms’ complete works.

Program Broadcast dates:

• March 31, 1997

Music played in the program

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Prelude & Fugue in a, WoO 9 –Robert Parkins (1976 Flentrop/Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC) Naxos 8.550824

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Fugue in a-flat, WoO 8 –Carole Terry (1965 Flentrop/Episcopal Cathedral of St. Mark, Seattle, WA) MHS CD-512523

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude & Fugue, O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid, WoO 7 –Jean-Charles Ablitzer (1752 Valtrin; 1848 Callinet; 1971 Schwenkedel/Basilique Saint-Christophe, Belfort, France) Harmonic CD-9035

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Prelude & Fugue in g, WoO 10 –Peter Sykes (1990 Nordlie/FUMC, Sioux Falls, SD) Titanic CD-181

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Mein Jesu, der du mich, Opus 122, number 1 –Christoph Albrecht (1721 Wagner/St. Mary Church, Berlin, Germany) Ars Vivendi CD-2100222

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzliebster Jesu, Opus 122, number 2 –Jacques van Oortmerssen (1724 Cahman; 1906 Setterquist/Kristine Church, Falun, Sweden) BIS-CD-479

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Opus 122, number 3 –Georges Athanasiades (1990 Jann/Waldsassen Basilica, Germany) Tudor CD-790

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzlich tut mich erfreuen, Opus 122, number 4 –Rudolf Innig (1907 Klais/St. Dionysius, Rheine, Germany) Dabringhaus und Grimm MDG 317 0137

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Schmucke dich, O liebe Seele, Opus 122, number 5 –Jonathan Dimmock (1989 Frobenius/St. Stephen Episcopal, Belvedere, CA) Arkay AR6113

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen, Opus 122, number 6 –Hermann Schäffer (1911 Steinmeyer/Christuskirche, Mannheim, Germany) Motette CD MOT 10711

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Gott, du frommer Gott, Opus 122, number 7 –Jean-Charles Ablitzer (1752 Valtrin; 1848 Callinet; 1971 Schwenkedel/Basilique Saint-Christophe, Belfort, France) Harmonic CD-9035

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, Opus 122, number 8 –Richard Wegner (1951 Möller/Immanuel Lutheran, Baltimore, MD) Immanuel CD-1010

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzlich tut mich verlangen, 2 settings, Opus 122, number 9/10 –Kevin Bowyer (1965 Marcussen/Odense Domkirke, Denmark) Nimbus NI 5262

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Opus 122, number 11 –Carole Terry (1965 Flentrop/Episcopal Cathedral of St. Mark, Seattle, WA) MHS CD-512523