Benjamin Zander Pre-Concert Talk: Brahms Symphony No. 1

Recorded live at Jordan Hall, October 2018

[@user-zm5ss5xo9y]

Thank you, Mr. Zander, for the cogent analysis of Brahms Symphony 1. Your talk greatly enhanced my enjoyment of this symphony and Brahms as a musician and a man suffering from personal conflicts. You reminded me of Leonard Bernstein talking to his young audiences during his years conducting the New York Philharmonic, sometimes demonstrating at the piano himself, during the historic "Young People's Concerts" and the "Omnibus" series.

[@briananderson8428]

It's so difficult to pick a "favorite" of Brahms' four symphonies. But Brahms' 1st symphony will, I think, always be the most special to me. Thank you for this excellent tutorial!

[@MrRunthe400m]

I've loved this piece for years; easily my favorite classical work. Hearing this background is great! I appreciate how Benjamin Zander breaks it down here...he's a great teacher!

[@andrewashdown3541]

My fave classical piece - redolent of going back to school ... sitting in the car (VW Beetle) at the seafront watching the ships before we headed to the airport and doom

[@dtrenaissanceman]

Somehow listening to this just this talk unleashed a torrent of tears for me- my love of the whole Brahms world combined with all the stuff going on with me now and in my life as a whole- and how in my 30 plus years in a volunteer orchestra we never did the Brahms 1st- how we did play a short simplified version of the last movement in jr high- and how back then it became linked with spring and the promise of summer vacation.

[@briananderson8428]

Most excellent that you were in an orchestra for 30 years!

[@sergejnekrasov7688]

That's my all-time favourite piece of music. At this moment I haven't heard your interpretation, but I'm looking forward to it!

[@MrRunthe400m]

Yes! Also my favorite!

[@sergejnekrasov7688]

@@MrRunthe400m I hope you also listened to the interpretation, as I think it is one of the best interpretations of the piece. There are only some minor critique points from my side, for example cleaning the oboe during the piece is always a bummer.

[@TangbarPodcast]

Is there any way to communicate with Mr Zander?

[@BostonPhilharmonic]

You can send an email to bz at benjaminzander dot com.