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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)
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1824
1837
1845
1855
1868
1875
1896
born in village near Linz, Austria
enters choir school in St. Florian
teaches at school in St. Florian
appointed principal organist in Linz Cathedral
moves to Vienna, teaches at the Conservatory
appointed to faculty of University of Vienna
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
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“Musikverein”
waltz
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Cecilianism