May 7th is the birth date for two of the giants in the Romantic Era of music, Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Brahms was born in the year of 1833 and seven years later in the year, 1840 was born Tchaikovsky. Both of these composers were known for their big orchestral sound filled with beautiful melodies.
Johannes Brahms, born May 7, 1833 in Hamburg, Germany was a great composer, pianist, and conductor in the Romantic Era of classical music.
From: Britannica Bio-Brahms: “German composer and pianist of the Romantic period, who wrote symphonies, concerti, chamber music, piano works, choral compositions, and more than 200 songs. Brahms was the great master of symphonic and sonata style in the second half of the 19th century.”
Brahms developed a great friendship with the great pianist and Romantic composer, Robert Schumann. Please check out a previous post: Robert, Clara, and Johannes.
Johannes Brahms is one of my favorite composers with his beautiful ultra melodic compositions.
Tchaikovsky, born May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk [now Udmurt Republic, Russia], was also a great pianist and composer in the Romantic Era of music.
From Britannica-Bio: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: “Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, (born April 25 [May 7, New Style], 1840, Votkinsk, Russia—died October 25 [November 6], 1893, St. Petersburg), the most popular Russian composer of all time. His music has always had great appeal for the general public in virtue of its tuneful, open-hearted melodies, impressive harmonies, and colourful, picturesque orchestration, all of which evoke a profound emotional response. His oeuvre includes 7 symphonies, 11 operas, 3 ballets, 5 suites, 3 piano concertos, a violin concerto, 11 overtures (strictly speaking, 3 overtures and 8 single movement programmatic orchestral works), 4 cantatas, 20 choral works, 3 string quartets, a string sextet, and more than 100 songs and piano pieces.”
Both Tchaikovsky’s piano and violin concerto’s are considered near the top of compositions in those genres.
Just like Brahms Tchaikovsky’s luxurious melodies are prolific in all of his compositions and why, along with Brahms, is one of my favorite composers.
Please turn up the volume and enjoy some beautiful music from these two giants of the Romantic Era – celebrating their birthdays on this Sunday, May 7.
J. Brahms: Symphony #2 in D Major:
J. Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn:
J. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major:
P.I. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto #1 in B Flat minor:
P.I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony #6 in B minor, “Pathetique”:
P.I. Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture:
Happy Birthday Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky!
Classical Music With Big Mike 