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. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Piano Music
Johannes Brahms
16 Waltzes, Op. 39 Play
Recorded on 07/14/2013, uploaded on 01/02/2014
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
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. Joseph DuBose
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)
Ballade No. 2 in b minor
Piano Trio no.1 in d minor, Op. 63
Rondo in A Major, D. 951
Trio No. 5 in D Major “Ghost” for Violin, Cello and Piano Op. 70, No. 1
Sonata for Cello and Piano in d minor, Op. 40
Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-flat Major, K. 333
Piano Trio No. 2 in C major, op. 87
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