Brahms/Busoni - Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Lo, How a Rose e're Blooming)

[andhow04]

brahms was not known as a church goer but his last publication, op.122, was 8 preludes for organ on german chorales. i think it shows how foundational the chorale was in german music, that brahms turned to that form at the end of his career.

this famous christmas carol, Lo how a rose, is decorated by brahms with a chromatic neighbor on just about every pitch of the original melody. it's very poignant, and lush with harmony.

most people who know Lo how a rose would probably not recognize it in this prelude, and so i followed with two verses of the carol itself.

forgot to mention that Busoni arranged some, but not all, of op.122 for solo piano. not many people play them , they were recorded by Paul Jacobs (the pianist not organist) and Vassily Primakov. enjoy

[frodo1]

I know Brahms was dying from liver cancer when he wrote his Eleven Choral Preludes Op. 122.  His dear friend Clara Schumann had very recently passed.  My CD of this work is performed by organist Robert Bates with Choral preludes introduced by soprano Ruth Escher.  I’m always saddened when I listen to these preludes when I think of how Brahms was suffering when he wrote them.  Thank you for sharing your beautiful performance.

[klaviertraum]

Beautiful!.

I love the colors and textures you get in the piano. Unlike most of his late music, introspective and melancholic, I feel Brahms coming into terms with himself in this piece.

Thank you for sharing.

[andhow04]

I know Brahms was dying from liver cancer when he wrote his Eleven Choral Preludes Op. 122.  His dear friend Clara Schumann had very recently passed.  My CD of this work is performed by organist Robert Bates with Choral preludes introduced by soprano Ruth Escher.  I’m always saddened when I listen to these preludes when I think of how Brahms was suffering when he wrote them.  Thank you for sharing your beautiful performance.

Thank you for the context, I did not really know the situation when Brahms wrote these. I sense in the chorale preludes a very strong poingant feeling and in tbis one especially

[furtwaengler]

I have that Paul Jacobs recording which was my only familiarity with the Brahms. Very nice that you give it to us. The simple beauty of the carol you included is also appreciated.