The Neue Liebeslieder-Walzer, completed five years after the first set, are more austere and feature a rigorously symmetrical structure of two groups of seven waltzes, each beginning and ending with a full quartet movement.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Brahms's Liebeslieder-Walzer were a creative response to his immersion in editing Schubert's unpublished Ländler dances, serving to preserve the Schubertian heritage.
Composition History
The emotional inspiration for the Liebeslieder-Walzer may have been Brahms's unrequited infatuation with Julie Schumann, daughter of Clara Wieck, whose engagement shocked him.
Composition History
Brahms initially dismissed his first set of Liebeslieder-Walzer as 'trifles' but was confident in their appeal, even risking being called an 'ass' if they didn't bring pleasure.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live at the Verbier Festival, which is known as a musical laboratory for combining untried groups of singers and instrumentalists.
Compositional Technique
The Liebeslieder-Walzer fuse popular and art-music styles, notably echoing Johann Strauss's Blue Danube Waltz in the ninth song, 'Am Donaustrande'.
Cultural Impact
The Liebeslieder-Walzer brought Brahms fame and fortune, leading him to create a four-hand piano arrangement and an orchestral suite due to popular demand.
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