Helmuth Rilling has performed Brahms’ German Requiem many times as a conductor. In this book, he draws on his intimate knowledge of the score, examining the question of what Brahms wanted to express with his work, and which means he used to achieve this. Rilling vividly describes how the composer structured the movements, which themes and motives he devised and developed, which harmonic approaches he adopted, and how he enabled the meaning of the text to come alive with his themes centered around mourning and comfort. Thus, experiencing this music in a spontaneous, emotional manner can be accompanied by informed listening. Valuable suggestions for musicians who want to perform the German Requiem round off the publication, based on the author’s profound knowledge of the work