Johannes Brahms and Franz Liszt - Essay Example

Both great composers had graciously accepted to lend their support for a charity concert in aid of the starving millions around the world.

Brahms was an accomplished pianist whose compositions consisted of Chamber ensembles for different symphony orchestras and also for solo voice and chorus. Most of his compositions were complex and his innovative compositional techniques were deeply rooted in the Baroque and Classical styles. Liszt too belonged to the Romantic era and was a thorough virtuoso at the piano and one of the most serious composers of his time.

The venue was the Grand (please fill in the venue you like) which was teeming with excited and enthusiastic crowds waiting to enter the hall. The people were ushered in by 7.45 because the concert was to begin at 8 pm. Silence descended on the audience as the lights dimmed and the curtains began to go up.

The opening number for the evening was by Liszt the great composer and his orchestra. The audience cheered and clapped as the orchestra was introduced and stood standing as the composer took the stage at the piano. Silence descended as the music filled the concert hall. The opening piece was the very well-known ‘Hungarian Rhapsodies’ which had formerly been written only for piano but later had been arranged for orchestra. The composer exploited the piano to such an extent while playing the arpeggios that it gave the audience the impression, that three hands were used for playing instead of two, and at times he made the piano sound as if it was a huge Gypsy Band with its lavish rapid octaves in addition to the daring runs and leaps.

Liszt’s originality and range of dynamics enthralled the audience to no end as they gave him a standing ovation at the end of the piece.
Brahms Violin Concerto followed after formal introductions of the orchestra were done and the concert hall resounded with applause from the audience as Brahms was welcomed. As the hall fell silent again, the music seemed to well up and fill it as the piece began with the Allegro which started softly but progressed into a resounding crescendo. This was followed by a melodic violin solo which was slow-paced but maintained a good rhythm. The piece gradually moved into a wonderful Adagio bringing the piece to a grand close. Once again the audience gives Brahms and his orchestra a standing ovation.

While Liszt was taken to be a very serious composer whose music was rather controversial, Brahms was never taken too seriously for his compositions. Liszt had received name and fame from a very young age, but for Brahms, it was a long and arduous journey for which recognition took a long time. Read More