CHAPTER XVI
1872-1876
Publication of the 'Triumphlied,' with a dedication to the German Emperor William I.—Brahms conducts the 'Gesellschaft concerts'—Schumann Festival at Bonn—Professor and Frau Engelmann—String Quartets—First performances—Anselm Feuerbach in Vienna—Variations for Orchestra—First performances—'Triumphlied' at Cologne, Basle, and Zürich—Resignation of appointment as 'artistic director' to the Gesellschaft—Third Pianoforte Quartet.
Brahms returned to Vienna for the concert-season of 1872-73 with a new and absorbing interest before him. He had accepted the appointment of 'artistic director' to the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, thereby undertaking the duties of conductor, not only of the society's concerts, but of the bi-weekly practices of its choral society. The usual scheme of the Gesellschaft concert-season, extending from about the middle of November to April, comprised four regular, and two extra, concerts with orchestra and chorus, one at least of which was devoted to an oratorio or other great choral work.
'Brahms will now conduct the Gesellschaft concerts,' writes Billroth on October 25; 'he is preparing Handel's Te Deum and "Saul," two Bach cantatas, his "Triumphlied," etc. At present he is all enthusiasm over the direction of the choral society, and enraptured with the voices and the musical talent of the choir. Should the results be favourable, he will, I think, persevere; a failure might suffice to discourage him so much as to deprive him of all inclination for the work....'
The season opened on November 10 with the following programme:
| 1. G. F. Handel: | Te Deum for the Dettingen celebration of victory, 1743. |
| 2. W. A. Mozart: | Aria for Soprano, with obl. accompaniment for pianoforte and orchestra (Frau Wilt). |
| 3. (a) J. Eccard: (b) H. Isaak: | 'Ueber's Gebirg Maria geht.' 'Inspruk ich muss dich lassen.' Choruses a capella. |
| 4. F. Schubert: | Symphony in C major (arranged for Orchestra from the Pianoforte Duet, Op. 140, by J. Joachim). |
This selection hardly invited an enthusiastic demonstration from a mixed audience, but the performances were well received, and the occasion resulted in a substantial artistic success for Brahms, and in the removal of the doubt which had been entertained, even in some friendly quarters, as to his fitness for his new duties. The inclusion of the so-called symphony by Schubert was mentioned with disapproval by some of the papers, though the masterly instrumentation of Joachim's arrangement—made, we may add, at Schumann's suggestion—was duly acknowledged.
The second concert, the first 'extra' of the season, was in every respect brilliant. It included the second performance of the complete Triumphlied, published shortly before by Simrock with Brahms' dedication to His Majesty the Emperor William I. The original title inscribed on the manuscript of the work—'Song of Triumph on the Victory of German Arms'—was shortened on publication to the simple 'Song of Triumph.' The programme of December 6 was as follows:
| 1. Handel: | Concerto for Organ and Orchestra. |
| 2. Mozart: | Offertorium for double Chorus, Orchestra, and Organ. |
| 3. Gluck: | Aria from the opera 'Alcestis' (Frau Joachim). |
| 4. J. S. Bach: | Prelude and Fugue in E flat for Organ. |
| 5. J. Brahms: | Song of Triumph for Solo, eight-part Chorus, Orchestra, and Organ (solo, Dr. Krauss). |