Behind the Score: Brahms Symphony No. 1

A message from the project curator
When I first conceived of the format for Behind the Score there were two clear missions. One was to create a unique approach to learning a significant work in the orchestral literature by incorporating into the rehearsal cycle two speakers who would give the selected orchestra a guided tour on the makings of the composition, its place in the work life of the composer, views of his personal world, and the many facets of the outside world surrounding him. The second was to generate the making of a video that would capture the core of each speaker’s presentation and include interviews with students from within the orchestra, the speakers themselves, the conductor, and myself. This video would then be shown to the audience and the orchestra prior to the performance as a summation of the project’s two weeks of immersion. This required finding a video producer who would deeply understand the project’s intentions and be able to produce interviews that gave a focused and relaxed telling of what each person was giving or receiving from this experience. I found that remarkable combination of skills and talents in Jon Stante who has been with me since the start of Behind the Score. I am sincerely grateful for his contribution in creating a video archive for our Jacobs School of Music community and for future students who may be interested in attending the Jacobs School of Music.
Jorja Fleezanis, professor of music (violin) and Henry A. Upper Chair in Orchestra Studies
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

[@danbrown4090]

Brahms meraviglioso! Il mio preferito! Bellissimo filmato e bravissimi ragazzi!

[@danilocamus7126]

Great video. Could you enable the Spanish translation, for many people who love classical music?

[@wamexart]

My encounter with Brahms First Symphony was in the early 60s. A few years later, when I have heard the all 4, either live or in 33’ RPMs. my music circle (friends and relatives), did the customary (nonsense) “contest” to select the best. I selected the First, I guess that I was biased for my remembrance of my first exposure to such a masterwork, beautiful melodies, etc. but my insight of the 4 symphonies is that I experience them as a single (Wagnerian work),I don’t remember other cases, but the First Symphony was clearly the first movement of my Brahms master symphonic work of ‘“4 movement”; the last theme of the third movement was distinctly a farewell song; I guess that Karajan shared my feeling.

[@francobonanni3499]

I heard Brahms at a very young age. I learned his lullaby very young. Studying Brahms I realized how deep he was. No note stands on its own everything is interwoven. His motives are repeated like his lullaby. His counterpoint is measured millimetricly. He studied his counterpoint from the great masters of the past applying these studies to his music. In fact his music seems strange to us because he brings to life the music of the past. His music is extremely expressive. His low register for the basis of his music. He does not seek strange or complicated harmonies or rythm. He produced only masterpiece. Brahms talks to me where other composers do not reach me. He is the only composer that comes close to Beethoven musically. I love Brahms. Thank you.

[@jefolson6989]

Very good observations. Hearing Brahms is one of my ealiest memories. I was a toddler, standing mesmerized in front of a speaker playing Brahms 2nd. Eventually I was able to ask " what is that?" Been a music lover, and Brahms fanatic ever sense. But I understand why people find him difficult. Beethoven leads you into battle with him, and victory is assured. Brahms allows you to walk beside him, and experience it, but the outcome is never guaranteed. Its not as safe. There are never superficial emotions ( except perhaps the finals of the concerti). Brahms feels more like a personal friend to me than another composer. The atmosphere and emotions are unique and so intimate. 2nd movement of the 1st Piano concerto has been described as " the day everything changed". Pretty apt. There is no early, middle or late period. Almost as if he was never young.

[@theresaheidel9878]

Just brilliant!