Johannes Brahms's 7 Fantasies, Op. 116, are described as Capriccio and Intermezzi, with every note and detail having particular meaning in their complex tonal language.
Album & Artwork
The album title, 'Per aspera ad astra', is a Latin saying meaning 'through hardship to the stars', originating from Seneca's tragedy Hercules furens.
Composition History
Robert Schumann's Kreisleriana, Op. 16, a piano cycle of eight movements, was composed in 1838 and was intended to be dedicated to his wife, Clara Schumann.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The works on this album were born out of the composers' inner struggles, overcoming challenging life situations, and fighting themselves and their own possibilities.
Composer Biography
Johann Sebastian Bach composed the Partita in D minor shortly after returning home in July 1720 to learn that his wife, Maria Barbara Bach, had died a week prior.
Composer Biography
The dedicatee of Schumann's Kreisleriana was changed from Clara Schumann to Frédéric Chopin due to heated disputes between Schumann and Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck, who opposed their marriage.
Composition History
Johannes Brahms arranged Bach's Chaconne for piano, left hand, in 1877, after playing it in Robert Schumann's version for violin with piano accompaniment.
You might also enjoy...
Brahms: Late Piano Works
Brahms: Late Piano Pieces
Brahms Intermezzi
Digressions
Brahms: The late piano pieces op. 116-119
Brahms: Klavierstücke
My Favorite Brahms
My Favorite Brahms
Kjell Bækkelund plays Brahms, Mozart & Schumann
Brahms, J.: 7 Fantasies / 3 Intermezzos / 6 Piano Pieces / 4 Piano Pieces (The Late Piano Music)
Brahms: Piano Works (Shorter)
Schumann: Arabesque, Kindeszenen & Vogel als Prophet
