Brahms's Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4, uses subtle links between its Scherzo and Trio sections, such as a descending scale figure and a quaver upbeat figure, to create continuity.
Composition History
Brahms's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21 No. 1, dating from early 1857, may have been dedicated to Clara Schumann, who gave its first public performance in 1865.
Composition History
Clara Schumann nicknamed Brahms's 'Paganini' Variations, Op. 35, the 'Witches' Variations' due to their extreme technical demands on the pianist.
Composer Biography
Brahms wrote his Variations, Op. 35, as a memorial to his friendship with the great pianist Carl Tausig.
Compositional Technique
The theme of Brahms's Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21 No. 1, is unusual for its two nine-bar phrases, rather than the typical eight-bar phrases.
Composer Biography
Johannes Brahms's Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4, despite its opus number, predates his Opp. 1-3 and was written in Hamburg in August 1851.
Composition History
Brahms's Hungarian Dances, WoO 1, were originally composed for piano four hands, with the two-hand version appearing in 1872, and three later orchestrated.
