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42 BRAHMS_COMPLETE SOLO PIANOWORKS
Like Minerva
springing fully armed
from the head of Jove
I felt certain that from such developments would suddenly emerge an individual
fated to give expression to the times in the highest and most ideal manner, who
would not bring us mastery step by step, but, like Minerva, would spring fully armed
from the head of Jove. And now here he is, a young blood at whose cradle graces and
heroes stood watch. His name is Johannes Brahms . . . Seated at the piano, he began
to reveal most wondrous regions. . . . His playing, too, was inspired, turning the
piano into an orchestra of wailing and jubilant voices. There were sonatas, more like
veiled symphonies; songs, whose poetry one would understand without knowing
the words, all imbued with a deep feeling for melody; single pianoforte pieces,
sometimes demoniacal, of the most graceful form . . . and every work so different
from the rest that each seemed to flow from a separate source. And then it was as
though he himself, like a tumultuous stream incarnate, united all into a waterfall,
bearing a peaceful rainbow above the rushing waves, met on the shore by playful
butterflies and the voices of nightingales.