These final piano pieces, Opp. 117-119, were composed in 1892 and 1893, amidst Brahms's late works for clarinet.
Compositional Technique
The Intermezzo in C-sharp Minor, Op. 117, is notable for its unusual phrase structure, with almost every phrase being five bars long.
Composition History
Brahms considered retiring from composing in 1890, but was inspired to write new works after hearing the Meiningen Orchestra's principal clarinetist, Richard Mühlfeld.
Compositional Technique
The first Intermezzo in E-flat Major, Op. 117, features a lilting melody taken from a book of Scottish folk songs that Brahms owned.
Composer Biography
Brahms wrote to Clara Schumann about the Intermezzo in B Minor, Op. 119, describing it as 'crawling with dissonance' and 'extremely melancholy'.
Performer Biography
Pianist Victor Rosenbaum has concertized widely in prestigious halls across the United States, Europe, Asia, Israel, Brazil, and Russia.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Brahms referred to his Three Intermezzi, Opus 117, as 'lullabies of my sorrow,' indicating their deeply personal nature.
