Brahms wrote a number of major works for orchestra, including two serenades, four symphonies, two piano concertos, a Violin Concerto, a Double Concerto for violin and cello, and a pair of orchestral overtures, the Academic Festival Overture and the Tragic Overture.
His large choral work Ein deutsches Requiem ("A German Requiem") is not a traditional, liturgical requiem (Missa pro defunctis), but a setting of texts which Brahms selected from the Lutheran Bible. The work was composed in three major periods of his life. An earlier version of the second movement was first composed in 1854, not long after Robert Schumann's attempted suicide, and was later finished and used in his first piano concerto. The majority of the Requiem was composed after his mother's death in 1865. The fifth movement was later added after the official premiere in 1868. The complete work was then published in 1869.
Brahms's works in variation form include the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel and the Paganini Variations, both for solo piano, and the Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn in versions for two pianos and for orchestra. The final movement of the Fourth Symphony (Op. 98) is also formally a set of variations.
His chamber works include three string quartets, two string quintets and two string sextets, as well as a clarinet quintet, a clarinet trio, a horn trio, a piano quintet, three piano quartets and three piano trios. He composed several instrumental sonatas with piano, including three for violin, two for cello and two for clarinet (which were subsequently arranged for viola by the composer). His solo piano works range from his early piano sonatas and ballades to his late sets of character pieces. Brahms also wrote about 200 songs and is considered among the greatest of Lieder composers (with Schubert and Schumann). His chorale preludes for organ, which he wrote shortly before his death, have become an important part of the organist's repertoire.
Brahms never wrote an opera, nor did he ever write in the characteristic late-19th-century form of the tone poem, strongly preferring to compose absolute music that does not refer to an explicit scene or narrative.
Despite his reputation as a serious composer of large, complex musical designs, some of Brahms's most widely known and commercially successful compositions during his life were aimed at the thriving contemporary market for domestic music-making, and are small-scale and popular in intention. These included his arrangements of popular dances, in Hungarian Dances, the Waltzes Op. 39 for piano duet, the Liebeslieder Waltzes for vocal quartet and piano, and some of his many songs, notably the Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No 4 (published in 1868). This last item was written (to a folk text) to celebrate the birth of a son to Brahms's friend Bertha Faber, and is universally known as Brahms' Lullaby.
Zwei Gesänge Op. 91: No. 2. Geistliches Wiegenlied
Johannes Brahms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Geistliches Wiegenlied
(Text: Emanuel Geibel)
Die ihr schwebet
Um diese Palmen
Ihr heil'gen Engel,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem
Im Windesbrausen,
Wie mögt ihr heute
So zornig sausen!
O rauscht nicht also!
Schweiget, neiget
Euch leis' und lind;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Der Himmelsknabe
Duldet Beschwerde,
cch, wie so müd' er ward
Vom Leid der Erde.
cch nun im Schlaf ihm
Leise gesänftigt
Die Qual zerrinnt,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Grimmige Kälte
Sauset hernieder,
Womit nur deck' ich
Des Kindleins Glieder!
O all ihr Engel,
Die ihr geflügelt
Wandelt im Wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
In Johannes Brahms's song "Geistliches Wiegenlied" (Spiritual Lullaby), the lyrics, written by Emanuel Geibel, depict a scene where holy angels are called upon to calm the palm trees that sway in the night wind. The singer addresses the angels, asking them to hush the rustling branches because their child is sleeping. The palm trees, symbolizing those in Bethlehem, are asked to be gentle and quiet, rather than raging with anger as they currently do. The song then shifts to focus on the baby Jesus, referred to as the "Heavenly Child," who is tired and burdened by the suffering in the world. The singer soothes the child in his sleep, allowing his pain to fade away. Lastly, the singer mentions the intense cold and wonders how to properly cover the child's limbs. The angels, with their wings, are implored to calm the trees one more time as the child continues to slumber.
Overall, this song carries a gentle, lullaby-like quality. It portrays a moment of peace and tranquility while also alluding to the hardships the child will face in the future. The themes of protection, comfort, and the divine presence are interwoven throughout the lyrics, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Die ihr schwebet
You who are floating
Um diese Palmen
Around these palm trees
In Nacht und Wind
In the night and wind
Ihr heil'gen Engel
You holy angels
Stillet die Wipfel!
Quiet the treetops!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
My child is sleeping.
Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem
You palm trees of Bethlehem
Im Windesbrausen,
In the roaring wind
Wie mögt ihr heute
Why are you today
So zornig sausen!
Rushing so angrily!
O rauscht nicht also!
Oh, do not rustle like that!
Schweiget, neiget
Be silent, lean
Euch leis' und lind;
Gently and softly;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Quiet the treetops!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
My child is sleeping.
Der Himmelsknabe
The heavenly child
Duldet Beschwerde,
Suffers burdens
cch, wie so müd' er ward
Oh, how weary he became
Vom Leid der Erde.
From the sorrow of the earth.
cch nun im Schlaf ihm
Now in his sleep
Leise gesänftigt
Gently relieved
Die Qual zerrinnt,
The pain dissolves
Stillet die Wipfel!
Quiet the treetops!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
My child is sleeping.
Grimmige Kälte
Grim cold
Sauset hernieder,
Blows down
Womit nur deck' ich
How shall I cover
Des Kindleins Glieder!
My child's limbs!
O all ihr Engel,
Oh, all you angels
Die ihr geflügelt
You who are winged
Wandelt im Wind,
Walking in the wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Quiet the treetops!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
My child is sleeping.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steffen
English translation:
You who hover
Around these palms
In night and wind,
You holy angels,
Silence the treetops,
My child is sleeping.
You palms of Bethlehem
In the roaring wind,
How can you today
Bluster so angrily!
O roar not so!
Be still, bow
Softly and gently;
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
The child of heaven
Endures the discomfort,
Oh, how tired he has become
Of earthly sorrow.
Oh, now in sleep,
Gently softened,
His pain fades,
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Fierce cold
Comes rushing,
How shall I cover
The little child's limbs?
O all you angels,
You winged ones
Wandering in the wind.
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
source: http://www.lieder.net/
Marten King
These are 2 of the most beautiful songs Brahms wrote & Norman interprets them wonderfully. I have this recording on LP & have always loved it.
Thomas K Geydan
Es ist immer wieder erstaunlich wie einfühlsam und wie wunderbar und lieblich schlicht diese grossartige Sängerin in der deutschen Sprache singt. Obwohl sie, wo es vorgeschrieben ist, stimmgewaltig sein kann, ist sie nie zu laut. So stelle ich mir Engelsgesang vor!
Jean Jadin
Que de fois ai-je écouté cette berceuse si douce et si profonde si proche de la voix de Jessie Norman !
Sunflowers159
I had a record of these songs sung by Kathleen Ferrier. They're absolutely gorgeous. I've sung them myself - but definitely not as well as her. I love Jessye Norman's voice.
Hans
This is one of the most beautiful renditions of these songs. Thanks.
Michael Hall, viola
Brahms wrote these two pieces as an attempt to reconcile his friendship with Josef Joachim. That's why Brahms chose the folk song Josef Lieber, Josef Meine. BTW - What an amazing viola sound. Such a challenging part.
Tanja Veenstra
Stunningly beautiful!
Viola Bear
Although sublimely beautiful, these two songs are hellishly difficult, especially for the viola. Why? Musically very difficult to play well. This recording of the two are absolute perfection!
katy Juneau
Shimmering and beautiful.
Steffen
English translation:
You who hover
Around these palms
In night and wind,
You holy angels,
Silence the treetops,
My child is sleeping.
You palms of Bethlehem
In the roaring wind,
How can you today
Bluster so angrily!
O roar not so!
Be still, bow
Softly and gently;
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
The child of heaven
Endures the discomfort,
Oh, how tired he has become
Of earthly sorrow.
Oh, now in sleep,
Gently softened,
His pain fades,
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Fierce cold
Comes rushing,
How shall I cover
The little child's limbs?
O all you angels,
You winged ones
Wandering in the wind.
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
source: http://www.lieder.net/