Donald Macleod explores Brahms’s private life and some of his intimate relationships.

Brahms was a deeply private man and very guarded about his life, his friends and his feelings. Across this week, Donald goes “Behind Closed Doors” with Brahms to discover what really made him tick. He finds friends, mentors and lovers along the way who together help solve the enigma of the composer.

Today, Brahms finds a new summer romance, but as is so often the case, it’s doomed to failure.

16 Waltzes, Op 39 (Nos 1-4)
Silke-Thora Matthies, piano
Christian Köhn, piano

Cello Sonata No 1 in E minor, Op 38 (3rd movement - Allegro)
Steven Isserlis, cello
Stephen Hough, piano

Klavierstücke, Op 76 (No 7 - Intermezzo in A major; No 8 - Capriccio in C major)
Nicholas Angelich, piano

Violin Sonata No 2, Op 100 (1st movement: Allegro amabile)
Daniel Barenboim, piano
Pinchas Zukerman, violin

Nanie, Op 82
Bavarian Radio Chorus
Bamberg Symphony
Robin Ticciati, conductor

Piano Concerto No 2 in B flat major, Op 83 (3rd movement - Andante)
Nelson Freire, piano
Gewandhausorchester
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Producer: Glyn Tansley for BBC Wales Show less