Iskender Savasir <[log in to unmask]> writes:

>2) I need a good biography of Brahms- the historical background is
>more imprtant for my current purposes than musicological analysis.

I haven't read it myself, but supposedly Jan Swafford's biography is the
best around.

Dan
http://www.dfan.org

 [You can find this and some of the other recommended biographies at:

   http://www.classical.net/music/books/biography/b.html#brahms

 And a review of the Swafford book by our own Jim Tobin can be found
 at:

   http://www.classical.net/music/books/reviews/0679422617a.html

 -Dave]