Chapter 58

Vienna in the Late Nineteenth Century:

Brahms and Bruckner

Lecture Overview

• Vienna and its music: 1850-1900• Progressives vs. conservatives in Vienna• Johannes Brahms:

– life and music– song “Feldeinsamkeit”– Symphony No. 3, movement 1

• Anton Bruckner:– life and music– motet Christus factus est

• Review

Music in Vienna in the Late Nineteenth Century

Vienna in the late 19th century was known far and wide as the “music city.” Its musical culture was truly comprehensive, as it embraced both popular and serious music, innovation and tradition. The main form of popular music was the waltz, whose master composer and performer was Johann Strauss Jr. Some of its classical musicians, such as Johannes Brahms, were identified with conservative trends in music; others, including Hugo Wolf and Anton Bruckner, with more experimental directions. Both tastes found a home in the splendid large auditorium of the Musikverein.

The Life of Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)

• 1833 born in Hamburg, studies with Eduard Marxsen

• 1853 tours, meets Robert and Clara Schumann

• 1860 signs a manifesto attacking the New German School

• 1862 moves to Vienna• 1872 Director of the Gesellschaft der

Musikfreunde in Vienna• 1886 composes Symphony No. 1, Nos. 2–4

follow shortly • 1897 dies in Vienna

Principal Compositions by Johannes Brahms

• Orchestra: symphonies (4), serenades (2), variations, overtures; concertos (2 for piano, 1 for violin, 1 for violin and cello

• Piano: variations, sonatas (3), character pieces; also chorale preludes for organ

• Chamber music: trios, string quartets (3), sextets, music with piano, clarinet quintet, instrumental sonatas

• Songs: over 200• Chorus: works include

– German Requiem– Alto Rhapsody

Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 3 in F Major, 1883, movement 1

Sonata form

Johannes Brahms, song “Feldeinsamkeit,” Op. 86, No. 2

(c1879)Varied strophic form

The Life of Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)

• 1824 born in village near Linz, Austria• 1837 enters choir school in St. Florian• 1845 teaches at school in St. Florian• 1855 appointed principal organist in Linz

Cathedral• 1868 moves to Vienna, teaches at the

Conservatory• 1875 appointed to faculty of University of

Vienna• 1896 dies in Vienna, buried in St. Florian

Principal Compositions by Anton Bruckner

• Orchestra: symphonies (9, plus two early symphonies)

• Chorus: masses, psalms, Magnificat, Te Deum, motets; secular pieces

Anton Bruckner, Christus factus est, 1884

Through-composed form

Review Key Terms

• “Musikverein”• waltz• Johann Strauss, Jr.• Cecilianism