19th Century Gossip - “Jolara” anyone?
Today’s gossip rags highlight celebrity romances of “Bennifer” or “Brangelina,” but if you were alive during the mid to late 1800s, Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann (”Jolara,” perhaps?) might have graced the cover of the National Enquirer.
Clara, a respected pianist during the Romantic era, was the wife of composer Robert Schumann. When her husband attempted suicide and later died, it was Robert’s good friend Johannes Brahms who provided comfort and support to Clara and her family.
A close relationship between Brahms and Clara developed and became the source of speculation and gossip. But, to the deep dismay of Brahms, the relationship never advanced past that phrase that smitten men dread hearing - “just friends.”
It was at this time that Brahms composed his first piano concerto. This concerto, which Horacio Gutiérrez will perform with the Utah Symphony this weekend, reflects this stormy period in Brahms’s life.
Brahms Piano Concerto
Keith Lockhart, conductor
Horacio Gutiérrez, piano
Music Exposed: Thursday, April 17 @ 7:00 PM - More Details
Classical: Fri & Sat, April 18 & 19 @ 8:00 PM - More Details
Posted in Composer Spotlight, Utah Symphony
April 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Wow, such drama! I’m sure I’ll be able to identify with this piece now that I know this story - who hasn’t heard “let’s just be friends”?
April 16th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
They left out one of the real fun facts: Brahms’ career was really jump-started by a very enthusiastic review written by a respected music magazine publisher - one Robert Schumann!