Johannes Brahms

Chorwerke und Vokalquartette mit Klavier oder Orgel 1

The volume includes popular as well as yet to be discovered choral works or versions by Johannes Brahms. In addition to the 'Liebeslieder-Walzern' op. 52 in the original four-hand version with voice ad libitum, it contains the almost unknown alternative version for voice and piano two hands, whose attractive piano part sets fine pianistic accents in performances with vocal ensembles. Sacred choral works include the 13th Psalm op. 27 and the Geistliches Lied op. 30, conceived on a strict formal basis ('double canon in the ninth'), which Brahms fleshes out to expressive sonority.

A secular contrast of dalliance and love-lust is provided by the three Quartets op. 31 with the 'Wechsellied zum Tanze', especially appreciated by the composer himself. Two previously unprinted versions of the Neue Liebeslieder op. 65 are included in the appendix, as well as, for the first time, all of the surviving sketches for the Liebeslieder collections in transcription. The introduction and critical report provide concentrated introductions as well as detailed source and text-critical commentary on the edited works.

The editor Jakob Hauschildt is a research associate at the Kiel Research Center of the Johannes Brahms Complete Edition.