The Alto Rhapsody, Op 53, is a work for contralto, male chorus, and orchestra by Johannes Brahms. It was written in 1869, as a wedding gift for Robert and Clara Schumann's daughter, Julie. Brahms scholars have long speculated that the composer may have had romantic feelings for Julie, which he may have integrated into the text and music of the Alto Rhapsody. The text, with its metaphysical portrayal of a misanthropic soul who is urged to find spiritual sustenance and throw off the shackles of his suffering, has powerful parallels in Brahms's life and character.
Librettist | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
Date of composition | 1869 |
Premiered | 1870, March 3rd in Jena, Germany |
First published | 1870, Simrock'sche Musikhandlung in Berlin, Germany |
Type | Rhapsody |
Tonality | C |
Catalogue | Op. 53 |
Spoken language | German |
Instruments |
Voice (Alto)
Male Chorus Orchestra |
Autotranslations beta |
Johannes Brahms: Rhapsody, for Alto solo, men's chorus and orchestra en do , Op. 53 "Alto Rhapsody" Johannes Brahms: Rhapsody, for Alto solo, men's chorus and orchestra in do , Op. 53 "Alto Rhapsody" Johannes Brahms: Rhapsody, for Alto solo, men's chorus and orchestra c-, Op. 53 "Alto Rhapsody" |