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Brahms' German Requiem is often presumed to be a nationalistic, Teutonic celebration. Yet this couldn't have been further from the truth. "I confess, I should have gladly left out 'German' and substituted 'Human'", the composer once wrote.

Stephen Johnson explores the work's influences - from Bach's cantatas to the tragic death of Brahms' mentor, Robert Schumann - and looks at the universal appeal of this very 'humane' requiem.