Johannes Brahms, born in Hamburg, Germany in 1833, embraced the styles of Classical composers Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn, championing their formal traditions through his Romantic output. A consummate perfectionist, Brahms wrote and destroyed at least four sonatas for violin and piano before publishing Sonata in G Major, Op. 78, in 1879.This first of three sonatas, filled with tenderness, warmth, and lyricism, was well received at its Viennese premier and has subsequently become a standard in violin repertoire.The first movement begins with a sentimental mood that pervades the entire sonata. It expresses a calm, peaceful nature interrupted for a few moments by a restless and dramatic development.The second movement opens with a soothing theme that gives way to a grave and somber section. When the movement returns to the opening material, undercurrents of darkness whisper through the melodic material.The final movement borrows its main theme from Brahms’ art song Regenlied, or “Rain Song.”A steady stream of sixteenth notes depicting the pitter-patter of rain characterizes this movement.The final movement also recaptures rhythmic and melodic material from previous movements to create a feeling of nostalgia.Tami Lee Hughes
Classical Music | Violin Music
Johannes Brahms
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Op. 78 in G Major Play
Recorded on 09/15/2012, uploaded on 12/28/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Johannes Brahms, born in Hamburg, Germany in 1833, embraced the styles of Classical composers Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn, championing their formal traditions through his Romantic output. A consummate perfectionist, Brahms wrote and destroyed at least four sonatas for violin and piano before publishing Sonata in G Major, Op. 78, in 1879. This first of three sonatas, filled with tenderness, warmth, and lyricism, was well received at its Viennese premier and has subsequently become a standard in violin repertoire. The first movement begins with a sentimental mood that pervades the entire sonata. It expresses a calm, peaceful nature interrupted for a few moments by a restless and dramatic development. The second movement opens with a soothing theme that gives way to a grave and somber section. When the movement returns to the opening material, undercurrents of darkness whisper through the melodic material. The final movement borrows its main theme from Brahms’ art song Regenlied, or “Rain Song.” A steady stream of sixteenth notes depicting the pitter-patter of rain characterizes this movement. The final movement also recaptures rhythmic and melodic material from previous movements to create a feeling of nostalgia. Tami Lee Hughes
More music by Johannes Brahms
Capriccio in d minor, Op 116, No. 7, from Seven Fantasies
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Paganini variatons
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)
Four Pieces from Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11
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