The Hague Philharmonic, Jan Willem de Vriend – Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 (2016)
Digital eXtreme Definition FLAC Stereo (tracks) 24-bit/352,8 kHz | Time – 01:01:23 minutes | 3,12 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: spiritofturtle.com | Booklet, Front Cover | © Challenge Records
The premiere of Ein deutsches Requiem, on Good Friday 1868, represented a final breakthrough as a composer for the then 34 year-old Brahms. The renowned critic Eduard Hanslick wrote: “Nothing that measures up to Brahms’ Requiem has been composed since Bach’s B minor Mass and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.” The work was universally thought to confirm Schumann’s 1853 prophecy to the effect that Brahms would become one of Germany’s greatest composers.
Schumann’s early, tragic death in 1856 was Brahms’ initial inspiration for the Requiem. From their first meeting in 1853, Brahms had become almost an adoptive child of Robert and Clara Schumann. A close friendship developed between the mature forty year-old Robert and the youthful, personable Johannes — as did a lifelong love of Johannes for Clara. Robert encouraged the youngster to study the Bible and the old masters. This led to Brahms becoming acquainted with the music of Bach. Also, in 1854, he wrote a work that would remain uncompleted but later form the kernel of his Requiem.
The Hague Philharmonic, Jan Willem de Vriend – Brahms: Serenade No. 1 & Variations on a Theme by Haydn (2016)
Digital eXtreme Definition FLAC Stereo (tracks) 24-bit/352,8 kHz | Time – 01:03:09 minutes | 3,16 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: spiritofturtle.com | Booklet, Front Cover | © Challenge Records
In the nineteenth century, the old principality of Lippe-Detmold lay hidden away on the edge of the Teutoburg Forest, which at that time was still inaccessible to the outside world by train and where paper money had yet to be introduced. Prince Leopold III resided at the castle dating from the Renaissance. His court still showed many traces of the protocol observed in the eighteenth century, and it goes without saying that music thus played an important role there. Leopold himself loved to sing, and his sister Princess Friederike was a competent pianist.
Johannes Brahms was offered a post at the court in 1857. It was an attractive offer — he would be paid a good salary simply for being present during the last three months of the year, conducting choral concerts, performing as a soloist with the court orchestra and playing in the prince’s private chamber ensemble. He would also give piano lessons to the princess. The young Brahms would have plenty of time to compose and, not least, to take long walks in the woods. Here Brahms could relax after a particularly trying and emotional period in his life.