Jonathan O'Neill’s Reviews > Lexicon of Musical Invective: Critical Assaults on Composers Since Beethoven's Time > Status Update

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I recall reading in a Brahms biography that Brahms and Tchaikovsky met once at a dinner party. Grieg was also present. Grieg got along with everyone, but Brahms ignored Tchaikovsky whom he considered a lightweight. I wouldn't be surprised if that diary entry followed that one and only meeting. 😉

El, I'm picturing Tchaikovsky, like a scorned teenage girl storming home to write a "Dear Diary" entry about some school yard mishap :D

Haha! Gary, imagine considering Tchaikovsky a lightweight! :D By all accounts, Brahms seems to have been a very academical/intellectual composer. Most of the criticism seems to be the inordinate amount of time one is required to spend listening to his work in the hope of, but without guarantee of, deciphering some thematic genius. Maybe he was a bit of an elitist?

Jonathan wrote: "Haha! Gary, imagine considering Tchaikovsky a lightweight! :D By all accounts, Brahms seems to have been a very academical/intellectual composer. Most of the criticism seems to be the inordinate am..."

I wouldn't say Brahms was an elitist, Jonathan. but he was a perfectionist. As I recall, he spent 20 years working on his first symphony. He also destroyed most of his early work and sketches because he didn't want posterity to know how hard he worked to get things just right. I'll admit Brahms is one of my favorite composers, but I'll also admit he's an acquired taste. As for "thematic genius", listen to the great passacaglia, the final movement of his fourth symphony. It speaks for itself. 😊

Ah, thanks for the reminder, Gary! Somewhere in the far corners of my vacuous mind I do recall Robert Greenberg mentioning, in one of his 'Great Courses' lectures, this purging of his early works. Yes, I very much prefer this image of the self-conscious perfectionist over a kind of arrogant musical gatekeeper.
Brahms is, admittedly, not a composer that I'm deeply familiar with. I've listened, and loved, quite a few of his pieces but not obsessively. The critics don't hold back on the 4th in this collection (which of course is a fair indication that it's a phenomenal piece). It will certainly be on repeat for me this week, particularly this passacaglia, thank you! :)

Jonathan wrote: "Ah, thanks for the reminder, Gary! Somewhere in the far corners of my vacuous mind I do recall Robert Greenberg mentioning, in one of his 'Great Courses' lectures, this purging of his early works. ..."

Jonathan, permit me to make a suggestion. There's a great performance of Brahms' String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111 with the Camerata Pacifica available on YouTube. This quintet is an example of late Brahms at his best, and if you have time, it's worth a listen. Brahms chamber music, the violin sonatas, and his late piano pieces offer significant insight into this composer.

Recommendations always welcome, Gary, thanks very much! I feel like it might be a Brahms-themed week :D

I hope you enjoy your Brahms-themed week, Jonathan. I'll add a recommendation for an early work, his Serenade No. 1 Op.11 for small orchestra. More than 50 years ago, I was brought in as a substitute for one of the regular players in an outdoor university summer performance of this serenade. A nice memory. 😊

Sounds like a wonderful memory to be able to draw upon, Gary! Great stuff! What was your instrument of choice? Do you still play?

Jonathan wrote: "Sounds like a wonderful memory to be able to draw upon, Gary! Great stuff! What was your instrument of choice? Do you still play?"

I played bassoon, Jonathan. Many years ago, in high school, college, and for a few years afterward I played in bands, orchestras and chamber music groups. Some of my friends became professionals, but I was never better than a competent amateur. I sold my instrument back in the late '70s and haven't played since. But of course, I still listen. 😉