Brahms, Brahms, Brahms

Brahms once responded to a singer, who planned on presenting Brahms’ entire Magelone Romanzen in a single concert (a set of 15 songs lasting some 90 mins), that “the only thing allowed to fill an entire evening’s Lieder programme by one and the same composer was Die schöne Müllerin”. This assortment of songs and chamber music circumvents the composer’s humble injunction while upholding his taste for coherent programs. Moreover, in his last song bouquets – groups of songs published together – Brahms favoured grouping by tessitura. (The line that furrows its way through all of the pieces here, of course, is that extraordinary, earthy colour of the mezzo-soprano and viola.) Thus, it is our hope that Herr Brahms would not be displeased by the collection of works presented.

Tues, May 20th, 2014 @7:30 p.m.
The Unity Center of New York City
213 West 58th Street, 10019
Tickets at door (cash only): $20 general; $10 students

A program of songs and chamber music by Johannes Brahms.

Jazimina MacNeil, mezzo-soprano; Will Frampton, viola; Nathan Vickery, cello; Suna Chung, piano