As a violist in 1974, I met Dr. Richard Lert who was the godson of Brahms. He kept looking and studying me from a distance as I played in the orchestra he was conducting. I am a rather big and portly guy. He had been a conductor of the Vienna Phil and many other famous orchestras. He was even friends with Richard Strauss. Anyway, one day he watched and heard me playing one of my improvisations on the piano. He became fascinated with me and loved my music. He then told me that I reminded him so much of Brahms. He even offered to conduct me in a performance of the Bach Brandenburg 6th Concerto for 2 violas. He became my first conducting teacher and mentor. I was captivated by the stories he told of Brahms that no one knows. Brahms was indeed a huge super genius, paradox, mystery and complex personality. And yet, one has only to play and study his music to truly know him.

Brahms saved my life after I'd listen to him as a lost 16 year old boy wanting to commit the end to my life. The D minor piano concerto 2nd movement gave me hope, built my spirit anew and showed me that even in despair we all should at least aspire to be better.

I had a very serious surgery about a year ago which left me in the hospital for almost two weeks recuperating. The first day I was out of surgery I had the intuition to listen to some Brahms on my iPhone. I don't know why - I liked Brahms before but it was casual. I plowed through the Brahms catalog in that hospital bed, frequently brought to tears. People would ask me why I'm crying and all I could say was that 'it's just so beautiful'. I think being that close to death (not being dramatic) unlocked a part of me that could finally be open to Brahms' language and palette. Of the things I listened to, I probably listened to the clarinet quintet the most. I grew up listening to a lot of punk rock but when the chips are down, it was Brahms who got me through this. Thank you @NahreSol

I have been a Brahms enthusiast for almost half a century. I don't get tired of his music.

This is a top class video, and a beautiful composition too. This channel is an absolute credit to classical music.

Can’t think of anything clever or erudite to post about Brahms. Just want to say I love Nahre Sol’s channel primarily for the way it/she always lifts me up. How she often shares her vulnerability as a musician and as a human being is completely disarming. Widening musical awareness, getting deep into the creative process , living vicariously as a successful classically trained pianist and enjoying her amazingly descriptive musical vocabulary are all just bonuses. ❤️

The Brahms requiem is quite possibly my favorite choral piece. Just so many stunning passages.

I studied Brahms when I was in college! He IS my favorite composer and the reason why I went into composition!

Brahms communicated and addressed grief and loss in an unusually acute and compassionate way. He could be a gruff and brusque person, but his music is some of the most massively consoling.

I can attest to Brahms growing on you. I didn't really understand what the fuzz was all about when I listened to his symphonies for the first time. But now his fourth and third symphony are among my favorite symphonies ever and I kind of get what he means by "permanent music".

I love Brahms. IMHO, his Op. 116/117/118/119 sets are the most poignant piano works ever composed.

I have grown into an enormous fan of Brahms, though it took time for it to really settle in. I often find myself analogizing brahms to things of natural beauty (which is a bit ironic, in terms of how carefully and deliberately crafted his music is). The old growth forest was beautiful and ancient long before you set your eyes on it. It's not there for you, but you are there basking in its splendor. There's something timeless, inevitable, enduring, about it. In Brahms, every little modulation or transformation is foreshadowed, prepared, fulfilled, and tied off with such elegant care that we don't even see it happening - it just happens. It's a bit more like a river and less like a road. I adore the beauty of the river, and the craftsmanship required to recreate natural beauty with so little affectation. Brahms often lets the rhythms run against the meter, often hiding or obscuring the meter, sometimes outright ignoring it. I think of it as being rather like prose: in poetry, the text is rhythmic and metered (think of a limerick, or shakespeare's iambic pentameter for example), but in speech and in prose, the text is rhythmic but unmetered. I don't think that Brahms' music is particularly speech-like, but I like this analogy because of how much of the music we are exposed to are songs, and Brahms' melodies, even when beautiful and lyrical, often aren't song-like. He loves his five bar phrases, he scorns the use of predictable phrase structure like the period or sentence, and writes melodies that stretch over bar lines and cadences that overlap into the next phrase or next key instead of having a full stop and line break for beginning the next. When other composers imitate speech, they use recitative. Brahms never sounds like recitative, he always sounds much more natural and inevitable, rather than forced or contrived. It's a river that carries you in its current and you enjoy the journey. With his motivic and thematic brilliance he can give even the biggest surprises and quick turns, and it always feels like a smooth ride rather than a rocky one. Every beautiful sight that you see on your journey is exactly where it belongs and there's no where else it could have been, because he has so brilliantly recreated the feeling of natural and organic beauty. Is a church more beautiful than a mountain? Is a church more beautiful because it is more symmetrical, its design more purposeful and deliberate, the lines are straighter, the points cleaner, the colours in the stain glass chosen to match? Is the poem more beautiful than the short story because of its rhymes and cadence? Brahms builds a church with unassailable architectural skill, yet it also has the eternal beauty of the mountain. In his music, Brahms writes a beautiful paragraph of touching prose, yet when closely examined, you discover that it followed all of the rules of poetry, without even knowing that it was a poem.

Brahms' chamber music is truly some of my favourite music ever! Thanks for featuring him on your channel

I remember hearing Brahm's Intermezzo in A (op 118 no 2) for the first time as an adult. While most trained pianists have heard and played it, I (not a trained pianist!) had never heard it. I became obsessed with the piece and the more I heard it, the more it brought me to tears. Brahms is definitely the melody man. Wonderfully said by your friend "... it's (emotion) always beneath the surface and almost breaking through, but he uses these masterful structures to hold them in".

Dude. I’ve never understood Brahms. I am putting on all my ([Brahms] records again. Wonderful vid.

Brahms was a big fan of making aspiring composers cry; there was the time he read a score by a student. when finished he paused and then said, "where did you get such good manuscript paper ?"

14:20 It gave me chills. So good! Beautiful writing and playing!

I also love that your ad in the video is for something literate/musical and not stupid

Beautiful composition! I love performing and listening to Brahms. From orchestral point of view, playing his music is like the weight of Beethoven with the refinement of Mozart. And Bach is always in the air. I agree, his music grows and deepens over time.

Greetings from Opole, Poland. I love everything about Brahms and yes, it took me a while to get to him. Knowing his biography is not essential, of course, but it helps. There is one bio episode that I always refer to - once, one of Brahms's friends overheard him playing alone, and it turned out that Brahms was playing and crying at the same time. This always gets me.

As a professional pianist myself, I want to Thank you for everything you do in your Channel. You're extremely good at everything you do, as a pianist, composer, KZfaqr, teacher, and probably other things I don't know. Never doubt yourself, and Thank you once more for (although indirectly) being part of my Life as a musician as well.

It’s hard to go into Brahms’ music world. But when you do, it’s hard to going out.

Brahms has the heartbreaking death, from all the composers I read the biography of. The last person to see him was a women, Lady Truxa and she she told us his last moment : "At 8.30pm, I came close to his bed. He sat and tried to say something. But he couldn't. Big tears filled his eyes and runned on his skinny cheeks. He looked at me intensely, let himself fall back and past."

I have loved Brahms since the first time I played the Academic Festival Overture at band camp.

Your composition was delightful, demanding of my attention, and moving. Well done!

I think Brahms music is by far the most emotional music ever. And in all ways. Often just within a few seconds. No other composer has such wide span. Only Beethoven can compete.

Nahre, you are the absolute best1. I love that piece you wrote to go along with Brahms. and I love your contagious enthusiasm, and the clarity with which you describe and elucidate complexity. Thank you, thank you.

While I was in it for the Brahms, I also really enjoyed your composition! Fantastic!!

It's true, Brahms grows on you. At first, I found it kind of difficult to enjoy his music and I couldn't understand why. Eventually, The 3rd movement of his 3rd Symphony is what drew me in. His Cello Sonata No. 1 is a masterpiece. I really enjoy is 4th Symphony as well.

Brahms is the sole reason I wish I had bigger hands. How much I would love to play his Ballades and other works without having to break half the chords of the piece.. Edit: congrats on getting sponsored by Henle, would be a dream for me if I was a KZfaqr

I got in such a mood from your piece 🙌🏽 and somehow found myself thinking about Stravinsky in many of the phrases. Such a lovely piece, and collab! It dawned upon me how little I know about Brahms. Thanks 🙏🏼

It says on Wikipedia that Wiegenlied (the Cradle Song), "was dedicated to Brahms's friend, Bertha Faber, on the occasion of the birth of her second son. Brahms had been in love with her in her youth and constructed the melody of the 'Wiegenlied' to suggest, as a hidden counter-melody, a song she used to sing to him." He composed it when he was 35.

I love these videos on specific composers. And I love The Interludes for Clarinet Quintet too. Thank you Nahre

I agree-I came to him late, through his solo piano pieces, and it was a revelation. The complex kaleidoscope of emotions he explores through elaborate rhythms and chord changes is pure genius. One can feel his deep intelligence in all of his works. Thank you for the video!👍👍

thank you for this video! I've never been a huge fan of Brahms and this made me hear him in a whole new light.

Nahre: among all your compositions shown here, this one is probably my favorite. Thank you.

was on a brahms kick a year ago. haven’t stopped listening since

Watching Brahms regain his high reputation has been one of the pleasures of my music listening life over the last fifty years. In the early 70's Brahms was very lightly regarded as a pale imitation of Beethoven. Over the last decades people have rediscovered that Brahms was actually a revolutionary composer that used old forms to write wholly original music.

Merci for this video. What I love about Nahre is that she respects the melodic qualities of those "old-school" classical musicians. Even though she lives in a world where music has gone off the rails, she still has her train on the track.

Brahms' 4th symphony is one of the best by anyone.

What a gorgeous piece you've created! I love the textures and melodic movement! Also, to create such a non-trivial emotional arc in such a short 'interlude' is no mean feat. Absolutely gorgeous, cheers!

Soooo intriguing!!!! I love this!!!! Can't wait to explore more Brahms!

Happy birthday Brahms! One of my favorites. His horn trio, piano works, waltzes, symphonies, and even his 51 exercises for piano are among my favorite things in existence. Thanks for this wonderful tribute Nahre!

Congrats on the awesome sponsorship!! And on the beautiful music you composed

Amazing work, Nahre! You truly are in a league of your own, and I always enjoy your videos.

Thank you so much Nahre for sharing this video! 😊🙏

Thank you for sharing your music with the world! Your quintet is awesome!

Brahms string sextets are some of my favorite pieces of music

Very nice composition Nahre, and thank you for sharing these thoughts with us! Love Brahms' music.

I was introduced to Brahms' music in middle school by my choir conductor, and his choir music was simply amazing for me as a teenager. So many strong emotions, trying to break through the surface, but always holding slightly back, so much passion and feeling in every phrase. He will forever be my favorite composer

As a classical musician, Brahms always seemed intense to me, but he never made me get emotional, more so just a pleasing sound that put a smile on my face. A composer that hits the emotional strings for me has always been Elgar, Dvorak, and Delius

Your music is so well-stated and beautiful. When we finally got a fuller texture from the strings with arco, the harmonies were so gorgeous. I could tell the musicians felt the same way. Bravo to all of you!

Thanks! The nerdy discussion isn't necessary in order to appreciate the music, but it does help me to understand more where you and Brahms were coming from.

Bro my mom sang this lullaby to me as a kid without knowing it was Brahm's music, neither have I known!!! I'M SOOOO AMAZED I FINALLY FOUND OUT (she is too), THANK YOU!

Nahre, I love your music. Please post more of it!

Your composition is stunning, thank you for this video and all your work 🥰

I look forward to every video that you post! Thank you!

Love your composition! and the performance of the excellent musicians involved.

Thank you for this instalment!! Brahms was my true gateway into classical music. I started with Bach organ music in Ottawa, then Brahms melancholic romanticism in Montreal in my late 20's, then Mahler and Satie in Toronto in my 30's and then Haydn and Handel in Ottawa again. Brahms, Mahler, Satie: mood, contemplation, meditation - the soundtrack I always return to of the beauty within. Your composition seemed to channel all three - brilliantly done!

I just discovered your channel, all your videos are wonderful. I love Brahms and your composition is wonderful. Thank you for your generosity.

Your videos are always so interesting, engaging and content-rich, while still being really accessible. Love your stuff!

I agree wholeheartedly! Brahms's symphonies are unsurpassed for their depth. The Fourth is of an emotional profundity that few other composers could even begin to approach.

Thank you Nahre, your videos are always very informative, interesting and inspiring!

I started classical guitar at 14 and started borrowing music from a local library, because that's how we did it in the 80s. Brahms was one of the first I fell in love with. Such powerfully moving melodies. Your complementary composition is beautiful. Love the syncopated pizzicato opening and closing reminiscent of Ravel. Stunning clarinet playing.

Beautiful work, fitting yet different...bravo!

What a wonderful start to my day.

Congratulations! I love your composition!

Yet another fascinating and erudite video, thank you Nahre Sol for such wonderful insights and congratulations on your gorgeous composition. 😍😍👏👏👏

Wow! That piece at the end was a nice treat!!!

Thanks for making this available.

07:34 "pianistically". Now there is a word we don't hear every day (at least those of us never to have studied in a conservatory). What a lovely word! 🥰 Thank you for allowing us lay persons a brief glimpse into that special world.

Marvelous production. Great research. Interesting and beautifully narrated.

Wonderful! lovely video and amazing new music. Thanks!

I think this is the first time I've seen classical performers play off iPads and yet it makes perfect sense. Especially in a festival setting! Lovely composition, great video!!

I loved this. Never knew anything about Brahms' life, but this makes so much sense, and enriches my appreciation of him. Thanks so much!!

What a lovely video...I love being educated and delighted with new music...hardly ever happens together...thanks for this. I thought the ensemble was terrific, and I love how the clarinet comes in after the intro...really nice!

Excellent Nahre! thank you

Your composition blew me away! 🤯. Congrats and thanks!

Omg, so amazing! Kudos to you and the musicians!

Brava! Beautifully done...

Thank you, Nahre! I adore yours videos! They are fantastic! Always! Thank you! My soul is delighted 💕 And yet... I very-very love Brahms too🎶

I really really appreciated for your great efforts on making this video. You have to spend a lot of time doing so much research on Brahms’ life and music. It’s so inspiring and encouraging me to love classical music again. Thank you very much! You are Fantastic! Bravo! 👏🏻😍🥰🎉🎊

Well done with the interlude, Nahre! It certainly has a late Brahmsian feeling, especially if it's played as a part of the last movement. The dissonance in the pizzicato reminds me of the opening of the last movement of his majestic piano quintet in F minor.

Your piece is fantastic ! Love your channel

Loved this.. love Brahms and your composition

Your spiritual connection with Brahms is pretty clear and very appropriately realized. Well done!!

Amazing work! Very inspiring

Your additional music to the Brahms Clarinet Quintet is GREATTTT! Hope to have a CD one day.

!!! How did you know? Brahms WAS my first classical composer -- the first movement of his violin concerto with Solerno-Sonnenberg.

Very well done, Nahre, is a tremendous challenge write music that match as an interlude of any Brahms work. Lovely music.

I love your channel! Beautiful composition. Thank you.

I love every single one of your videos. Thank you for rekindled my love for classical. Brahms is my favorite. Always has been. Probably will be until I die.

Awesome video Nahre!

Beautiful composition and I loved going through the reflection on Brahms to converse with his music. I haven't listened to a huge amount of Brahms and have found him less intriguing than his reputation would suggest. But I think you have successfully made the case to revisit him while trying to do so with a fresh take.

I love the sound and feeling of your composition, Nahre. I hope you are able to make a recording available for us to purchase. It is very cool to hear it in the context of Brahms.That is really quite amazing company to keep. And I think your piece stands up beautifully on it's own as well. Thank you for sharing so much insight into Brahms life and music, as well as your own music!

Wonderful video, Nahre. You can never get enough Brahams.

Thank uou for this and your recommendation of the scores!

Nahre, beautiful and haunting work! I appreciate Brahms more now.

More of these ??? Love it.

Brahms makes me cry because his piano writing is so awkward & uncomfortable under the hands 😹. Especially the later stuff, clarinet sonatas and the 4 serious songs, etc