The Two Songs, Op. 91, which combine viola and alto voice, were dedicated to alto Amalie Joachim, wife of violinist Joseph Joachim, and were written to celebrate the birth of their first child and later to help reunite them after their divorce.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The rich sound of the viola and the husky tone of the contralto voice were both favored by Brahms in his compositions.
Composition History
Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, a deeply moving work based on a fragment from Goethe's 'Harzreise im Winter', was one of the composer's own favorite works.
Recording & Production
The piano accompaniments for the three Brahms songs on this album were orchestrated by conductor Alfred Herz.
Compositional Technique
The two Brahms sonatas contain his last sonata form movements, intermezzo, scherzo, and set of variations, embodying his ultimate compositional technique.
Composition History
Brahms's two viola sonatas, which are among his most enduring masterpieces, were originally inspired by the playing of clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, whom Brahms affectionately called 'my prima donna'.
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