This Sonatensatz (“Sonata movement”) was composed in 1853 as part of a birthday present for the great violinist Joseph Joachim. Albert Dietrich wrote the first movement, Robert Schumann the second and last, and Brahms provided the scherzo which remains the most often performed section of the work. The title of the work was F.A.E. Sonata, referring to Joachim’s personal motto, “Frei aber einsam” (free but lonely), translated into the pitches F-A-E.
This is the earliest known work for violin and piano that Brahms wrote, and it presents an exuberant rhythmic impetus, with a Trio section marked Più Moderato. Brahms reuses the theme from the Trio in the concluding coda. Even this early in Brahms’ career, we can hear signs of maturity in the work’s rhythmic complexity. These rhythms will influence later scherzos in Brahms’ output. Sonatensatz was published in 1906 with Joachim’s authorization after Brahms’ death. The sonata as a whole remained unpublished until 1935.
Classical Music | Violin Music
Johannes Brahms
Scherzo for Violin and Piano in c minor, WoO posth. 2 (from F.A.E. Sonata) Play
Recorded on 04/20/2010, uploaded on 10/26/2011
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
This Sonatensatz (“Sonata movement”) was composed in 1853 as part of a birthday present for the great violinist Joseph Joachim. Albert Dietrich wrote the first movement, Robert Schumann the second and last, and Brahms provided the scherzo which remains the most often performed section of the work. The title of the work was F.A.E. Sonata, referring to Joachim’s personal motto, “Frei aber einsam” (free but lonely), translated into the pitches F-A-E.
This is the earliest known work for violin and piano that Brahms wrote, and it presents an exuberant rhythmic impetus, with a Trio section marked Più Moderato. Brahms reuses the theme from the Trio in the concluding coda. Even this early in Brahms’ career, we can hear signs of maturity in the work’s rhythmic complexity. These rhythms will influence later scherzos in Brahms’ output. Sonatensatz was published in 1906 with Joachim’s authorization after Brahms’ death. The sonata as a whole remained unpublished until 1935.
More music by Johannes Brahms
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Paganini variatons
Capriccio in d minor, Op 116, No. 7, from Seven Fantasies
Capriccio in c-sharp minor, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Intermezzo in E Major, Op. 116, No. 4, from Seven Fantasies
Schicksalslied, Op. 54
Intermezzo in A Major, from Eight piano pieces, Op. 76
Intermezzo in e minor, Op. 116, No. 5, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo in b minor, Op. 119, No. 1
Klavierstücke op. 118 - VI. Intermezzo
Performances by same musician(s)
Valse Sentimentale, Op. 51, No. 6
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Op. 78 in G Major
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