Brahms's architecture reminded me of "With all manner of subtle symmetries", his integration of Bach's structure, Beethoven dynamism, Schubert's lyricism, Schumann's romanticism, and his deep respect for German folk music. Also, their play evoked Wagner and Strauss's modernity to me. Brahms also had a deep respect for the Baroque style such as Schütz, Gabriel, and Handel, which was not common for his time.

Staatskapelle Berlin had all Brahms’s symphony Concerts at Carnegie Hall with Yannick Nézet-Séguin. New York Times said, "sometimes excitingly volatile, sometimes unsettled." But my focus was Brahms's integration and innovation as the Symphonist and this is once in a while to experience the artist's whole cycle together. Daniel Barenboim and his orchestra also carried all Schumann, Beethoven, Mahler, and Bruckner to New York in the last 20 years.

Jack Sullivan explained, "his music has dark sonorities with brightly sensuous moments. The sound has a density, not found in Beethoven, even though Brahms did not favor the increasingly large orchestras that came into vogue during his lifetime. He also mentioned "Hanslick, Brahms supporter, explained the passacaglia finale on the 4th as “a dark well”, and he said, "the longer we look into it, the more brightly the stars shine back.” I felt also Schoenburg, the untraditional who was "passionate admirer" because of its architectural complexity, and he was often regarded as too cerebral for large audiences." Those make sense to his favorite phrase "Frei aber Einsamkeit"

Each orchestra member gave life to Brahms by their body with the New York Opera Maestro. There were some moments, when his idea just happened in front of me, especially the last movement of the 2nd symphony, "Sturm und Drang" turbulence with daunting power. In the different part, with the very stable support with Cello and Base, the passage was projected by soloists, sometimes, virtuosic and very Operatic especially, Viola and 1st violin principals. The unison of the flute reminds me of Strauss's Rosenkavarier. The choral brass section reminds me of the very end of Wagner's ring. the part of the 1st symphony was Schenburg. The sound blending of Obe and Flute was one of the top beauties and senses in my life. It was touching to Brahms's humanity as well as all musicians and audiences to share the nights.

Concert Credit

Staatskapelle Berlin

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

11.30.2023

12.1.2023

ALL-BRAHMS PROGRAM

Symphony No. 1

Symphony No. 2

Symphony No. 3

Symphony No. 4

Concert detail

11.30.2023