Extrait du livre Brahms
Brahms by Ann Rachlin and Susan Hellard Flowerpot Children's press
Brahms
Tin soldiers were the only toys Johannes Brahms had. They lay in a box on the floor but he kept his precious flute under his pillow. It was 1839. Johannes lived with his brother and sister and father and mother in three rooms in a tall wooden house on Ulricus Street in the ancient German city of Hamburg. They were very poor and shared their house with many other families. One morning, the sound of music woke Johannes. From his window he could see Fritz the organ-grinder coming down the street. All the neighborhood children came running out to listen to the catchy tunes of the barrel organ. Fritz’s pet monkey danced in time to the music and took coins from the children to give to his master. Johannes threw on his clothes and dashed downstairs to join the fun.
When the music was over, Johannes raced back up the stairs. Leaping onto his bed, he took his flute from under the pillow and began to play all the tunes that he had heard on the barrel organ. “Just listen, Jakob,” said his mother. “He hears a tune and he can play it immediately.” “Yes,” said Mr. Brahms. “Soon he will be able to play his flute and violin for the sailors on the waterfront. That’ll bring in some extra money.” Mrs. Brahms sighed. Her husband worked hard, but earned only a few pennies playing the double bass in cafés and inns. There was never enough money. But Mrs. Brahms did not like the thought of her little boy playing for rough sailors in those noisy inns at the harbor. After all, he was only six.
