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

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

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

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude & Fugue, O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid, WoO 7 –Jean-Charles Ablitzer (1848 Callinet; 1971 Schwenkedel/Basilica of Saint Christopher, Belfort, France) Harmonic CD-9035*

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

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Mein Jesu, der du mich, Op. 122, no. 1 –Christoph Albrecht (1721 Wagner/Saint Mary’s Church, Berlin, Germany) Ars Vivendi CD-2100222*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzliebster Jesu, Op. 122, no. 2 –Jacques van Oortmerssen (1906 Setterquist/Kristine Church, Falun, Sweden) Bis CD-479*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Op. 122, no. 3 –Georges Athanasiades (1990 Jann/Waldsassen Basilica, Germany) Tudor CD-790*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzlich tut mich erfreuen, Op. 122, no. 4 –Rudolf Innig (1907 Klais/Saint Dionysius in Rheine, Germany) Dabringhaus & Grimm CD-3137*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Schmucke dich, O liebe Seele, Op. 122, no. 5 –Jonathan Dimmock (1989 Frobenius/Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Belvedere, CA) Arkay CD-6113

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen, Op. 122, no. 6 –Hermann Schäffer (1911 Steinmeyer/Christuskirche, Mannheim, Germany) Motette CD-10711*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Gott, du frommer Gott, Op. 122, no. 7 –Jean-Charles Ablitzer (1848 Callinet; 1971 Schwenkedel/Basilica of Saint Christopher, Belfort, France) Harmonic CD-9035*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, Op. 122, no. 8 –Richard Wegner (1951 Moeller/Immanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, MD) Immanuel CD-1010

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, Herzlich tut mich verlangen (2 settings), Op. 122, no. 9/10 –Kevin Bowyer (1965 Marcussen/Odense Cathedral, Denmark) Nimbus CD-5262*

BRAHMS: Chorale-prelude, O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Op. 122, no. 11 –Carole Terry (1965 Flentrop/St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, WA) MHS CD-512523*