I woke up with a touch of the black flaps this morning. I’m glad I saved your essay for today because I’ve befriended them after reading and listening to Brahms, including the gorgeous intermezzi you dropped in the comments. The Tár mention, with the Bernstein video, was a thought-provoking addition…I love any tale that demonstrates how it’s never too late to try and turn it all around. I’m comforted that Brahms found his skill still worthy of paper, late into his career and despite the stark difference between his and the style of his contemporaries. Once again, your tender words here apply a new shimmer upon this old work. Thank you for the morning session, Michael! 💙
Thank you, Katie! How fortuitous this was the selection for your first morning session here. I think starting each morning with one of Brahms's intermezzi can give us all the calm and fortitude we need to make it through the day. Hope you return to this work often. 💙
Loved reading this - maybe one of my favorite Shades of Blue essays so far. It's hard as a mere civilian to constantly connect with that childhood wonder, and be constantly in tact with those wonderful indescribable words-aren't-enough feelings we get from the music or art we love. And such beautiful words about Brahm's melancholy and very interesting observation of his younger and more mature musical self in the piece. I'm really inspired by his burning the book and starting anew. What a beautiful thing to do. It's a rebirth. Also I can relate to those black wings flapping above... yet even so! Indeed indeed indeed through those "countless moments of transition between youth and old age" there is that "irrepressible beauty we are called to be a part of." So beautiful 🥺
Thanks so much, Connie — glad this has been one of your favorite experiences here so far!
It's true, the world is really good at getting in the way of our reconnecting with the awe and wonder that inspire us as children. That makes it even more critical to channel art that can speak to us across the years and serve as loving reminders of the beauty and exploration that make life worth living. 💙
My experience listening to this Brahms: It brought me back to childhood, laying on the orange shag carpet next to the stereo. Each weekend my mother listened to 'Pledger Plays the Classics' on KKHI, and Doug Pledger played this Brahms often enough that I associate it with that in between time not before sleep, but before dinner, when she was cooking, a dreamy, bittersweet time then and in memory.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory, Kathleen! I love the image of you lying on the shag carpet taking in this intermezzo, the same reclining position Brahms used to survey all those youthful works in his childhood attic. What a mix of sensory delights, the perfume of dinner mixing with the sound of Brahms’s bittersweet lullaby. 💙
Thank you for this, Michael. In Spotify there are many recordings of these intermezzi. Are there any you’d recommend? I know it’s a personal preference, but your advice would be great.
More than happy to make recommendations, Richard. My preference is for readings that lean into the gentle sentimentality of these works, so Paul Lewis and Radu Lupu’s recordings are my personal go-tos.
Other pianists emphasize the improvisatory nature of the works, and in particular the waltz feel of the E-flat Major intermezzo. If you want to explore those takes, I recommend Lars Vogt and Stephen Hough’s recordings.
The Radu Lupu was great, but I really fell for the Lars Vogt recording. When I researched him ( I’d not heard of him before) I discovered he recorded these just before his death of cancer in 2022. To me, quite astonishing recitals.
I’m going in for a total knee replacement this week, and I’m sure, from when I had the other one replaced 2 years ago, I’ll want some gentle piano music in the first few days for when I am highly anaesthetised - I think I’ve now found the perfect soundtrack!
So glad you found a connection with Lars's recording, Richard! His death was a devastating loss to the music world, but the many beautiful words from his colleagues about his kindness and humble artistry on and off the stage provided much-needed solace from the shocking news.
I highlighted his final album a few months ago — the Schubert Piano Trios with Lars's dear friends Tanja and Christian Tetzlaff. Music of friendship and love from beginning to end. Here's the essay if you're keen to dive deeper into Lars's discography:
I woke up with a touch of the black flaps this morning. I’m glad I saved your essay for today because I’ve befriended them after reading and listening to Brahms, including the gorgeous intermezzi you dropped in the comments. The Tár mention, with the Bernstein video, was a thought-provoking addition…I love any tale that demonstrates how it’s never too late to try and turn it all around. I’m comforted that Brahms found his skill still worthy of paper, late into his career and despite the stark difference between his and the style of his contemporaries. Once again, your tender words here apply a new shimmer upon this old work. Thank you for the morning session, Michael! 💙
Thank you, Katie! How fortuitous this was the selection for your first morning session here. I think starting each morning with one of Brahms's intermezzi can give us all the calm and fortitude we need to make it through the day. Hope you return to this work often. 💙
I woke up to a snow blanket! Feels like another Brahms morning!
Yes! I felt so nourished seeing a snowy landscape outside my windows this morning. Definitely called for some early-morning Brahms! 💙
Loved reading this - maybe one of my favorite Shades of Blue essays so far. It's hard as a mere civilian to constantly connect with that childhood wonder, and be constantly in tact with those wonderful indescribable words-aren't-enough feelings we get from the music or art we love. And such beautiful words about Brahm's melancholy and very interesting observation of his younger and more mature musical self in the piece. I'm really inspired by his burning the book and starting anew. What a beautiful thing to do. It's a rebirth. Also I can relate to those black wings flapping above... yet even so! Indeed indeed indeed through those "countless moments of transition between youth and old age" there is that "irrepressible beauty we are called to be a part of." So beautiful 🥺
Thanks so much, Connie — glad this has been one of your favorite experiences here so far!
It's true, the world is really good at getting in the way of our reconnecting with the awe and wonder that inspire us as children. That makes it even more critical to channel art that can speak to us across the years and serve as loving reminders of the beauty and exploration that make life worth living. 💙
Oh it´s so beautiul this piece...
So glad you're enjoying your experience, Yolanda. Definitely a work to hold close to your heart. 💙
My experience listening to this Brahms: It brought me back to childhood, laying on the orange shag carpet next to the stereo. Each weekend my mother listened to 'Pledger Plays the Classics' on KKHI, and Doug Pledger played this Brahms often enough that I associate it with that in between time not before sleep, but before dinner, when she was cooking, a dreamy, bittersweet time then and in memory.
What a lovely memory! Music just does this sometimes.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory, Kathleen! I love the image of you lying on the shag carpet taking in this intermezzo, the same reclining position Brahms used to survey all those youthful works in his childhood attic. What a mix of sensory delights, the perfume of dinner mixing with the sound of Brahms’s bittersweet lullaby. 💙
Thank you for this, Michael. In Spotify there are many recordings of these intermezzi. Are there any you’d recommend? I know it’s a personal preference, but your advice would be great.
More than happy to make recommendations, Richard. My preference is for readings that lean into the gentle sentimentality of these works, so Paul Lewis and Radu Lupu’s recordings are my personal go-tos.
Paul Lewis
https://open.spotify.com/album/6yUT5IT7ZNjnLDIWfpKcwt?si=uJXqDzmFQpWyohNNU9ssSQ
Radu Lupu
https://open.spotify.com/album/1wBZ83eTAvXZGMK0V2u9lD?si=x79Ph3GjRV-CCMi3J0L7PA
Other pianists emphasize the improvisatory nature of the works, and in particular the waltz feel of the E-flat Major intermezzo. If you want to explore those takes, I recommend Lars Vogt and Stephen Hough’s recordings.
Lars Vogt
https://open.spotify.com/album/3GWaPjIrJBvm21qM4xjyvb?si=YPZqPk71Rj6frfILHa3JQQ
Stephen Hough
https://open.spotify.com/album/0zecLuGhn3F4Fne4ruUjxl?si=3WlvTXP5SdOXRSvbw_TCIA
Let me know which moves you most!
The Radu Lupu was great, but I really fell for the Lars Vogt recording. When I researched him ( I’d not heard of him before) I discovered he recorded these just before his death of cancer in 2022. To me, quite astonishing recitals.
I’m going in for a total knee replacement this week, and I’m sure, from when I had the other one replaced 2 years ago, I’ll want some gentle piano music in the first few days for when I am highly anaesthetised - I think I’ve now found the perfect soundtrack!
Thank you for the link, Michael, and the essay. I’ve saved the Schubert album on Spotify to listen to.
So glad you found a connection with Lars's recording, Richard! His death was a devastating loss to the music world, but the many beautiful words from his colleagues about his kindness and humble artistry on and off the stage provided much-needed solace from the shocking news.
I highlighted his final album a few months ago — the Schubert Piano Trios with Lars's dear friends Tanja and Christian Tetzlaff. Music of friendship and love from beginning to end. Here's the essay if you're keen to dive deeper into Lars's discography:
https://michaelwriteswords.substack.com/p/franz-schubert-piano-trio-no-1
Wishing you a speedy recovery this week — and lots of time with beautiful piano music!
Thanks so much Michael - I’ll try Radu Lupu first, probably more my style, and then contrast with one of the more improvisatory ones.