The Central Jersey Choral Society has the pleasure to share with you the Romantic masterpiece the Liebeslieder Waltzer, or the Love Song Waltzes, by Johannes Brahms. This is an important work because it encapsulates two parts of Viennese society in the late 19th century. The poetry of romantic love was at its height and Brahms embodied its fascination with unrequited adoration through his 40-year friendship with fellow composer and virtuoso pianist Clara Schumann. The Liebeslieder Waltzer express the innocence and flirtation of Brahms’s vision of love through his signature harmonic virtuosity. We’ve also added three short choral works by Clara Schumann to give some texture to the evening. Clara and Johannes often shared their drafts for each other’s perusal before introducing them to the world.

It is also our pleasure to introduce our first guest conductor, Robert Lapore, to lead CJCS this evening. A graduate student at Westminster Choir College, his scholarship on the Brahms waltzes will provide an exciting perspective on these beloved pieces. We hope to see you all there.