This book is the first comprehensive collection of the letters of JohannesBrahms ever to appear in Englsih. Over 550 are included, virtually all uncut,and there are over a dozen published here for the first time in any language.Although he corresponded throughout his life with some of the great performers,composers, musicologists, writers, scientists, and artists of the day, andalthough thousands of his letters have survived, English readers have until nowhad scant opportunity to meet Brahms in person, through his words, and in hisown voice.'I am aware of my bad habit of writing briefly but obscurely', Brahms once wroteto a friend. He was needlessly hard on himself, for his letters describe manysignificant events in his life, throw light on his friendships and music, andreveal his wit, idealism, intelligence, generosity, sarcasm, and above all hispowerful sense of integrity.The letters in this volume range from 1848 to just before his death. Theyinclude all Brahm's letters to Robert Schumann, over a hundred letters to ClaraSchumann, and the complete Brahms-Wagner correspondence. They are joined by arunning commentary to form an absorbing narrative, documented with scholarlycare, provided with comprehensive notes, but written for the general musiclover. The result is a lively biography. the work is generously illustrated, andcontains several detailed appendices and an index.

Styra Avins is Adjunct Professor of Music History at Drew University, New Jersey. Josef Eisinger is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Biophysics at Mount Sinai Medical School, New York.