Johannes Brahms

Life and music

Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg in 1833 and died in Vienna in 1897. His music ranged from solo piano and chamber works to symphonies, songs and choral music. Meeting Robert and Clara Schumann in 1853 helped shape his early career: Robert publicly championed him before his first publication. Beethoven's example remained an important artistic challenge. Brahms kept a Vienna apartment from late 1871 until his death.

Compare the compact Op. 39 No. 10 Waltz, the more extended Op. 118 No. 2 Intermezzo and the Op. 79 No. 1 Rhapsody. Listen for contrasts in size, texture and expressive direction rather than treating these choices as an obligatory ladder.

Sources

• henle.de
• brahmsinstitut.de

Where to start

1. 1Waltz, Op. 39 No. 10, solo piano editionLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Rhapsody in B minor, Op. 79 No. 1Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces in the Music Room

At the dance floor

• Waltz No. 15, Op. 39Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro

The study studio

• 51 Exercises, WoO 6: No. 1bLevel 6, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces

• 51 Exercises, No. 18bLevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• 51 Exercises: No. 1aLevel 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• 51 Exercises: No. 2bLevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• 51 Exercises, No. 8aLevel 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Ballade in D minor, Op. 10 No. 1 (‘Edward’)Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Ballade in D major, Op. 10 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Ballade3/IntermezzoLevel 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Intermezzo, Op. 116 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Intermezzo in E major, Op. 116 No. 4Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• Lullaby, Op. 49 No. 4: piano arrangementLevel 3, estimatedWith Maestro
• Intermezzo in B-flat major, Op. 76 No. 4Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Hungarian Dance No. 1: piano arrangementLevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro
• Hungarian Dance No. 5, G-minor intermediate piano versionLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro