Brahms and the German Spirit
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: July 15, 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 258
ISBN-13: 9780674013186
Subjects: Composers & musicians; Nationalism; Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900); c 1800 to c 1900; Germany; Criticism and interpretation; Music/Songbooks; Music; History & Criticism - By Composer; Europe - Germany; Genres & Styles - Classical; Individual Composer & Musician; Music / Classical; Brahms, Johannes,; Political and social views; 1833-1897; 19th century; History and criticism; Nationalism in music
Description: "Music historians have been reluctant to address Brahms's Germanness, wary perhaps of fascist implications. Beller-McKenna counters this tendency; by giving an account of the intertwining of nationalism, politics, and religion that underlies major works, he restores Brahms to his place in nineteenth-century German culture. The author explores Brahms's interest in the folk element in old church music; the intense national pride expressed in works such as the Triumphlied; the ways Luther's Bible and Lutheranism are reflected in Brahms's music; and the composer's ideas about nation building. The final chapter looks at Brahms's nationalistic image as employed by the National Socialists, 1933-1945, and as witnessed earlier in the century (including the complication of rumors that Brahms was Jewish)."--BOOK JACKET.