Revealing the beard

Johannes Brahms revealed his iconic beard in 1878.

Before this, he had been clean-shaven for most of his life.

In a letter to conductor Bernhard Scholz in September of that year, he humorously wrote, "I am coming with a large beard! Prepare your wife for a most awful sight."

Singer George Henschel recounted an incident after a concert where he encountered a stout, middle-height man with long hair and a full beard, who introduced himself in a deep, hoarse voice as "Musikdirektor Müller." Moments later, everyone burst into laughter, realizing it was Brahms in disguise, showcasing his fondness for practical jokes.

Brahms´s revealing of his beard quickly became a subject of conversation and gossip in Vienna, the city where he lived and where he had grown a reputation.

Most probably, all of this was nothing but amusing for Brahms.

His witty sense of humor can be sensed in some of his pieces, for example, the Cappriccio op.76 nr.2 which he composed the same year he decided to grow his iconic beard for good.

Listen to this wonderful miniature at the top of my piano playlist by clicking here.

Enjoy, and have a great day!

Claudio.