Rating: 
Summary: A fine, well-researched biography, probably definitive
Review: This will probably be the definitive Brahms biography for some time to come. The oft-told story of Brahms' relationship with the Schumanns, and of Robert's decline and death, here becomes gripping (and sad) stuff. Also, as related in their letters, Brahms and Clara Schumann were *not* the happy couple often depicted; they quarreled, often over incredibly petty issues.Swafford strikes a great balance between a "life and times" bio and a "musical analysis" bio. Several themes are touched upon over and over: Brahms' difficult nature, his inability to relate intimately with women, and his obsession with perfection, even at the expense of beauty, in his music. This is a long book, and some have complained about its length, but I actually wished for more. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: A fine, well-researched biography, probably definitive
Review: This will probably be the definitive Brahms biography for some time to come. The oft-told story of Brahms' relationship with the Schumanns, and of Robert's decline and death, here becomes gripping (and sad) stuff. Also, as related in their letters, Brahms and Clara Schumann were *not* the happy couple often depicted; they quarreled, often over incredibly petty issues. Swafford strikes a great balance between a "life and times" bio and a "musical analysis" bio. Several themes are touched upon over and over: Brahms' difficult nature, his inability to relate intimately with women, and his obsession with perfection, even at the expense of beauty, in his music. This is a long book, and some have complained about its length, but I actually wished for more. Well done!
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