PT Journal
AU Hirsova, I
TI The Reception of Johannes Brahms' Work in the Czech Lands between 1877 and 1897 Based on the Magazine Dalibor
SO Musicologica Olomucensia
PY 2022
BP 336
EP 341
VL 33
IS 2
DI 10.5507/mo.2021.019
DE Johannes Brahms; 19th century music; reception; reviews; music magazine Dalibor
AB The aim of this paper is to determine the relationship of Czech audiences to the music of Johannes Brahms. All the concerts containing Brahms' pieces were identified as a result of research into issues of the music magazine Dalibor. Subsequent reviews clarified the reception of Brahms' work in the Czech lands, and consequently Brahms' work was positively received by Czech audiences. The research revealed two aspects in particular that influenced the acceptance of the composer's work. First of all, the choice of the composition mattered, as the music of Brahms counted among the most challenging to perform and therefore difficult to listen to. The second condition was the correct interpretation of the work. Brahms composed technically difficult compositions, so a poor performance would ruin the whole impression made by the music. Therefore, only the best interpreters were chosen. During the period it was possible to observe how Czech audiences gradually developed a deep admiration for the work of Brahms.
ER