Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

A Beard And A Baby

This episode explores Joachim settling down into domestic bliss, and Brahms growing a beard - a disguise that would from then on become part of his mythology.

Donald Macleod explores the lifelong friendship between Brahms and the great violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim - and the music of genius that resulted.

Throughout his life, Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) enjoyed the close friendship of two kindred musical spirits: the pianist Clara Schumann and the violinist Joseph Joachim. Yet whilst his relationship with the former is much-pored over - friends, colleagues, maybe lovers? - his deep musical connection with Joachim is often passed over. This week, Donald Macleod explores the adventures, trials and tribulations that Brahms and Joachim encountered through their four-decade-long association and the musical masterpieces for violin that resulted. Donald presents the three movements of the Violin Concerto across three days in three utterly beguiling, and very different, recordings by Vadim Gluzman, David Oistrakh and Janine Jansen; plus, Friday brings a complete performance of the often-overlooked Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. In between, we'll hear all three violin sonatas in their entirety and a host of jewels from Brahms' chamber output - plus a rare piano-duet performance of his First Symphony by the Duo Crommelynck, and on Friday, a guest appearance from Brahms and Joachim themselves.

The partying days were over. Today's episode tells of Joachim's settling down into domestic bliss, and Brahms...growing a beard - a disguise that would from then on become part of his mythology. Donald Macleod presents the much-loved "Geistliches Wiegenlied", plus a rare piano duet arrangement of Brahms's famous First Symphony.

Geistliches Wiegenlied, Op 91 No 2
Alice Coote, mezzo
Maxim Rysanov, viola
Ashley Wass, piano

Symphony No 1 (4th mvt) (original version for piano 4 hands)
Duo Crommelynck, piano duet

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 77 (2nd mvt)
David Oistrakh, violin
Staatskapelle Dresden
Franz Konwitschny, conductor

Violin Sonata No 2 in A, Op 100
Isabelle Faust, violin
Alexander Melnikov, piano

Produced by Steven Rajam for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Johannes Brahms

    Geistliches Wiegenlied, Op 92 No 2

    Performer: Ashley Wass. Performer: Maxim Rysanov. Singer: Alice Coote.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Symphony No 1

    Ensemble: Crommelynck Duo.
    • Brahms Symphonies No 4 and 1.
    • CLAVES.
    • 8.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Concerto in D major, Op 77

    Performer: David Oistrakh. Orchestra: Staatskapelle Dresden. Conductor: Franz Konwitschny.
    • Violin Concertos.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 2.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Sonata No 2 in A major, Op 100

    Performer: Isabelle Faust. Performer: Alexander Melnikov.
    • Brahms Violin Sonatas.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 8.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 16 May 2018 12:00
  • Wed 27 Apr 2022 12:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.