Brahms: 2 Gesänge, Op. 91 (with Score)

Johannes Brahms:
2 Gesänge for alto, viola and piano, Op. 91 (with Score)
Composed: 1884 (No. 1), 1863–64 (No. 2)
Mezzo-soprano: Christa Ludwig
Piano: Geoffrey Parsons
Viola: Herbert Downes

0:00 1. Gestillte Sehnsucht. Adagio espressivo (D major)
6:21 2. Geistliches Wiegenlied. Andante con moto (F major)

Brahms once wrote to Clara Schumann that the folk song is the ideal toward which the composer of songs must strive. However, by the release of the Nine Songs, Op. 69, Brahms had distanced himself from the language of the folk song. Some aspects, however, remain in his Two Songs, Op. 91, such as diatonic melodies and repetition of the last words of a verse. The instrumental introductions to both songs are significantly longer than most, giving free reign to the vocal nature of the viola. Although published in 1884, it is possible that "Gestillte Sehnsucht" was first sketched in 1864 and "Geistliches Wiegenlied" in 1878.

Friedrich Rückert's "Gestillte Sehnsucht" (Satisfied Longing) undoubtedly appealed to Brahms' love of nature. Soft sounds of wind and birds whisper the world to sleep as the narrator asks himself why his desires will not also rest. Set in D major, dark colors abound as the viola and piano open the song in low registers. Quiet arpeggios in the piano part and metric contrast between viola and piano depict the whispering of the wind and little birds. As the narrator asks why his heart's desires will not be still, Brahms introduces chromatic inflections and a more agitated accompaniment before a return of the entire first part of the song.

[leonpetrich]

These are beautiful! Thank you very much!

[davidrehak]

Johannes Brahms:Brácsadalok Op.91
1. Gestillte Sehnsucht (Kielégült Vágyódás): Adagio espressivo 00:05
2. Geistliches Wiegenlied (Szent altatódal): Andante con moto 06:21
Christa Ludwig-mezzoszoprán
Geoffrey Parsons-zongora
Herbert Downes-brácsa