The secret lullabies of Brahms

Most people know Brahms’ Wiegenlied (“lullaby”)—it’s one of the most famous themes in all of classical music. But did you know that Brahms wrote two “secret” sets of lullabies?

This video explores the intertextuality between Schumann and Brahms—how a discarded piece from Kinderszenen became the genesis for some of Brahms' greatest works.

Performers and timestamps:

0:00 Wiegenlied, Op.49 No.4, Danz/Deutsch

0:28 Symphony No.2, Op.73 Mvt.I, Rattle/Berlin Philharmonic

0:48 Waltzes, Op.39 No.15, Julius Katchen

1:24 Bunte Blätter, Op.99 Albumblätter No.5, Youri Egorov

2:11 Ballades, Op.10 No.2, Michelle Cann

2:53 Piano Quartet No.2, Op.26 Mvt.II, Kopelman/Shebalin/Berlinsky/Richter

3:19 Cello Sonata No.1, Op.38 Mvt.I, Mørk/Lagerspetz

3:50 Intermezzos, Op.117 No.1, Radu Lupu

5:16 Wiegenlied, Op.49 No.4, Danz/Deutsch

5:51 Klavierstücke, Op.118 No.5, Julius Katchen

6:11 Klavierstücke, Op.119 No.1, Radu Lupu

6:24 Violin Sonata No.2, Op.100 Mvt.I, Perlman/Ashkenazy

7:01 Lieder, Op.105, No.1 Prégardien/Eisenlohr

7:12 Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15 Mvt.II, Lupu/de Waart, London Philharmonic Orchestra

7:45 Piano Concerto No.2, Op.83 Mvt.III, Zimerman/Bernstein

8:11 Duets, Op.28 No.3, Irányi/Volle

8:26 Symphony No.2, Op.73 Mvt.II, Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic

8:50 Clarinet Sonata No.1, Op.120 No.1 Mvt.I, Karl Leister, Ferenc Bognár

9:06 Intermezzos, Op.118 No.2, Lars Vogt