Y. Nézet-Séguin: Brahms Cycle III

Classical music and the body, a topic as exciting as it is neglected: did you know that in the 19^th century it was believed that symphony composers should remain single and opera composers should be married? For (unmarried!) women, songs remained. But nobody was counting on Louise Farrenc. She wrote symphonies in France where operas were the rage, and published editions of works by old composers when people cared only for the latest fashion. She also followed in the tradition of Beethoven. Something similar could be said of Johannes Brahms, only that he began everything later. In his First Piano Concerto he portrayed his muse Clara, who, well worth noting, was an excellent composer herself.