Brahms: A Listener's Guide

Brahms. (Unlocking the Masters Series) ** By Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Unlocking The Masters. Softcover with CD. 224 pages. Published by Amadeus Press.

In this survey of Brahm's music, John Bell Young explores in depth the composer's private world of musical intimacies that infuriated Wagner, but inspired Schumann, Schoenberg, and millions of music lovers for generations to come. He also addresses a controversial issue long-neglected by biographers and critics: Did Brahms sire an illegitimate child, and in the absence of concrete evidence, did he leave behind clues in his allusion-rich music? Accompanying the book is a CD featuring rare performances of Wilhelm Furtwangler, alongside brand new recordings of three extraordinary pianists.