Brahms's 16 Waltzes
for piano duet are one of the three groups of dances he published during the
1860s; the other three being the first ten Hungarian Dances, also for piano
duet, and the 18 Liebeslieder-Walzer,
op. 52 for piano duet and vocal quartet. All three were composed in a "popular"
style and were largely responsible for Brahms's growing reputation among the
general public as well as a significant source of his personal fortune.
The Waltzes have much in common with those of Franz Schubert
and are in no way like the grand episodic waltzes of Brahms's contemporary and
friend Johann Strauss II. Brahms's usual complex compositional traits are not
in the forefront here and the sole focus seems to be nothing more than melodic
charm (although, no. 16 does manage to slip in a passage in double
counterpoint). Despite this, Brahms thought well enough of these miniatures
and, as mentioned above, they were quite successful. He later published two
arrangements for piano solo-one in keeping with the original duet version and a
simplified version for pianists of lesser skill.
Classical Music | Music for Duo
Johannes Brahms
Two Waltzes from Op. 39 Play
Recorded on 04/09/2009, uploaded on 06/16/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
16 Waltzes Op. 39 Johannes Brahms
Brahms's 16 Waltzes for piano duet are one of the three groups of dances he published during the 1860s; the other three being the first ten Hungarian Dances, also for piano duet, and the 18 Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52 for piano duet and vocal quartet. All three were composed in a "popular" style and were largely responsible for Brahms's growing reputation among the general public as well as a significant source of his personal fortune.
The Waltzes have much in common with those of Franz Schubert and are in no way like the grand episodic waltzes of Brahms's contemporary and friend Johann Strauss II. Brahms's usual complex compositional traits are not in the forefront here and the sole focus seems to be nothing more than melodic charm (although, no. 16 does manage to slip in a passage in double counterpoint). Despite this, Brahms thought well enough of these miniatures and, as mentioned above, they were quite successful. He later published two arrangements for piano solo-one in keeping with the original duet version and a simplified version for pianists of lesser skill.
More music by Johannes Brahms
Ballade No. 3 in b minor, Allegro, Op. 10
Piano Trio No. 3 in c minor, Op. 101
Ballade No. 4 in B major, Andante con moto, Op. 10
Intermezzo No. 2 in A Major, from Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118
Variations on a theme by Paganini, Op. 35, Book 2
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in E flat Major, Op. 120, No. 2
Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116, No. 4, from Seven Fantasies
Scherzo for Violin and Piano in c minor, WoO posth. 2 (from F.A.E. Sonata)
Capriccio in c-sharp minor, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 (Joachim cadenza)
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 30, D617
Scherzo from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
"God's time is the best of times"
Moravian Folk Dances
The Pursuite, from The Adventures of Korzinkina
The Shrovetide Fair from Petrouchka
Corrente III (arr. Kurtág)
Overture from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Wedding March from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Spanish Dance No. 2 from "La Vida breve"
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