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Re: Poco Forte marking in Brahms

Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2014-07-26 02:26

Thanks Karl for your thoughtful comments. I am still investigating whether Brahms did actually pass down information that would help us here. I located the book Performing Brahms by Musgrave. Here are some interesting points that are made.
1. Performance practice was different in this time...eg. Brahms would arpeggiate chords when not indicated but not always.
2. He once praised a performance of his 'Serious Song' which ends with dim. and p in the score as well as praising a performance of the same work that ended fff.
3. Likewise he appreciated interpretations that were widely different
4. Musicians of the day often used accel in conjunction with crescendo.
5. Brahms had a life long aversion to the metronome. Much is written about his tempo markings.
6. It is thought his markings starting with capital were to be taken more seriously
7. Brahms used dynamic markings specifically to balance the ensembles. 8. With the written hair pin in the score Brahms might slow the entire phrase down to highlight the idea rather than make a bulgy gesture that would emphasize one note in the phrase.
So I don't have an answer yet.

Freelance woodwind performer

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Poco Forte marking in Brahms new

Arnoldstang

2014-07-23 17:57