Description:

Brahms Johannes

J. Brahms Fantastic Long Musical Content Letter, to Dear Friend "Now just let loose and create beautiful music!"

 

Bi-fold signed letter on letterhead with the ornate letter "B" in vibrant green to left corner, 4" x 6." Extensively written in dark bold ink to four pages, and signed by Johannes Brahms as "Joh Brahms."  Accompanied by a black and white portrait print of Brahms, 5" x 8," and a transcription of the letter into English. Near fine with a small 1/2" intact tear to the second page.

 

A spectacular letter written by Brahms to his dear friend, Julius Otto Grimm, who he refers to as the "concert master." Grimm was a  composer, conductor and musician of Westphalia. He is best remembered today as one of the best friends of Johannes Brahms, whom he met in Leipzig in 1853. In this letter Brahms expresses his thanks to Grimm for dedicating the (second) orchestral Suite in the Form of a Canon, Op. 16, to him,  referring to the piece as a "Suite" and to the fact that it is canonical. (We also know that the only piece that Grimm dedicated to Brahms was Op 16, "Zweite Suite in Canonform for Orchester," and have attached an image of the frontis cover for review). 

 

Brahms's letter is completely immersed with passionate musical content, leaving one to reflect that he must feel, see and hear music in everything all around him. He is usually exalted as one of the “Three Bs” of classical music: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, an accolade that was heard even during his lifetime. His warm letter to Grimm is shown transcribed below:

 

"Dear friend,

Forgive me for initially being so tardy – and now so hurried. Your kind dedication pleased me immensely – while I, the wretched outsider, did let it suffice just thinking of my dear old friend in quiet contemplation. But he cannot see that, so a piece of paper is needed to tell him just that.

I had been hoping to hear the Philharmonics playing the suite, but since we were so richly blessed (?) with new creations, this unfortunately did not come about.

I dearly hope there will be a chance very soon to discuss with you this canonic dynamic. You know all too well there is beautiful music involved, and you also know that one does not simply keep in stride with a symphony. I confess that at the reception, because of the emotion and nostalgia mentioned above, I was sorely tempted to brag with the andante, but then rather let it go.

And now, another friend has hijacked it, and thus, I am unable to praise a single piece as much as I would like to. You must have heard or perhaps felt yourself, how hard it generally is to suppress the impulse for a more civil union between bass and soprano.  Now, just let loose and create beautiful music! Most likely I shall be travelling to Bremen on Good Friday. I feel such a burning longing for Germany, for everyone there, for you too, and everything that’s there altogether!

These fleeting greetings shall be sufficient, pass them on as well to your wife, your little ones and the concert master!

                                                Yours most cordial,

Joh. Brahms"

 

 

We wish to thank members of the American Brahms society for their help in contextually transcribing the letter.  This important superb association letter from Johannes Brahms emotes his intense passion for music and life, completely radiating in wonderous musical content. "Now just let loose and create beautiful music!"


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