Geliebte Freunde

On September 30th, 1853, a young and bedraggled Johannes Brahms took a fateful detour from his hiking expedition to knock at the door of the famed musical couple, Robert and Clara Schumann. His social call became a month-long visit overflowing with music, and a deep, abiding admiration blossomed among the three. Robert's illness and untimely death three years later forged a bond between Brahms and Clara which would sustain and enliven them both for the rest of their lives. Geliebte Freunde is an exploration of their tender friendship through their songs and letters to each other. Composer Miriam Sharrock caps the program with a setting of Lisel Müller's beautiful poem, Romantics, as a contemporary musing on this timeless, undefinable love.

Geliebte Freunde premiered in April, 2019 with Ashuelot Concerts in Keene, NH.