John Axelrod - Brahms Beloved: Symphonies 1 & 3 / Clara Schumann Lieder (2014)

Once in his later years, Johannes Brahms wrote to the love of his life that all his works should be signed, “really by Clara Schumann.” It was a moving testament from an emotionally guarded old bachelor to the woman who had long been his muse. It was also a recognition that the composer whose work, then as now, has been regarded as the epitome of musical abstraction acknowledged that his music was grounded in his life and feelings. And Clara Schumann was always connected to Brahms’s deepest feelings. This recording is a testament to their lifelong connection.
The story of their meeting is the stuff of musical legend. In 1853, when he was an unknown music student of 20, Brahms knocked on Robert and Clara Schumann’s door in Düsseldorf carrying a hiking stick and a backpack full of his music. After he had played them a few pieces and departed, Robert wrote in his journal: “Visit from Brahms (a genius).” The couple virtually adopted the brilliant, handsome, beardless young man. Three months later, Robert wrote a journal article that declared this unknown composer the coming savior of German music. Not long after, Robert jumped in the Rhine in a suicide attempt. He was committed to an asylum from which he never emerged alive.
Brahms rushed to Clara’s side. From that point a helpless passion grew between them. When Robert finally died, everyone, probably including Clara, expected Brahms to take her as his wife. Instead he fled, beginning his lonely bachelor existence. Yet their personal and musical connection lasted to the end of their lives.

TRACKLIST

CD1

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
1 I. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro [17:23]
2 II. Andante sostenuto [10:03]
3 III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso [5:16]
4 IV. Adagio – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio [17:52]
John Axelrod, conductor | Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi

Clara Schumann (1833-1897)

5 Volkslied [3:20]
6 Sie liebten sich beide [2:18]
7 Warum willst du and’re fragen [2:45]
8 Mein Stern [2:40]
9 Die gute Nacht, die ich dir sage [2:18]
Wolfgang Holzmair, baritone | John Axelrod, piano

DISC 2

Johannes Brahms

Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
1 I. Allegro con brio [13:53]
2 II. Andante [9:42]
3 III. Poco allegretto [9:16]
4 IV. Allegro [9:14]
John Axelrod, conductor | Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi

Clara Schumann

5 Das Veilchen [1:40]
6 Sie liebten sich beide [2:06]
7 Lorelei [2:30]
8 Ich hab’ in deinem Auge [2:21]
9 Beim Abschied [6:06]
Dame Felicity Lott, soprano | John Axelrod, piano

PERSONNEL
Dame Felicity Lott, soprano
Wolfgang Holzmair, baritone
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, orchestra
John Axelrod, principal conductor and piano