Dinner with Brahms by Sara

Dinner with Brahms by Sara - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

“The idea comes to me from outside of me - and is like a gift. I then take the idea and make it my own - that is where the skill lies.” Johannes Brahms was a masterful composer as well as a skilled pianist. He learned piano at a very young age and performed in dance halls to earn money for his poor family. I would love to have dinner with Brahms, so that I could learn his process and method to create such beautiful music.
Music is my real passion. I have played the clarinet for eight years; I recently learned trumpet, and I’ve taught myself how to play the piano and flute. I plan to learn all the instruments I possibly can! If I could have dinner with Brahms, I feel that I would learn so much about not only playing music, but also writing it. I would learn the best combinations of instruments, rhythms, and timing. Brahms was considered a perfectionist; he would often destroy full compositions if he wasn’t completely satisfied. I believe that this would be very conducive to learning to compose with fewer mistakes.
Brahms was not just an amazing musician; he was also a very clever man. Although he was considered a grouch to his acquaintances, his close friends knew him to be a very kind and generous man. If I could have dinner with Johannes Brahms, I would gain so much knowledge about music, as well as have dinner with very pleasant company.