Brahms

Brahms - Intermezzo in A Minor (Op. 76 No. 7)

ABRSM Grade 8 – C2

Brahms’s sets of miniatures are among the best-loved shorter works for the piano. The Intermezzo in A minor, op. 76 no. 7, is currently on the ABRSM Grade VIII syllabus, and will pose several challenges for those who wish to master it. This walkthrough and Annotated Study Edition has a... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in A Major (Op. 118 No. 2)

Walkthrough

This collection of videos and accompanying annotated study edition provides a walk-through of one of the most beloved short piano pieces ever written, starting with some background and an introduction to its features followed by a look at aspects including interpretation, texture, pedalling and voicing.... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in A Major (Op. 118 No. 2)

Fantasy Analysis

This collection of videos provides an imaginative, personal narrative on the interpretation of Brahms’s nostalgic Intermezzo in A Major, examining the work section by section and focussing on feelings, ideas and colours.... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in B minor (Op. 119 No. 1)

In 1893, Brahms wrote his last work for the piano, a set of four piano pieces, op. 119. The Intermezzo in B minor is the first piece of the set. As a composition it is full of riches, arousing keen interest in composers and scholars (including Arnold Schoenberg) as they have attempted to analyse it bar by bar. It requires from the performer the ability to play expressively at a very slow tempo, warmth of tone and control of texture and pedalling. This piece will appeal to the mature player.... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in E (No. 6 from Fantasies, Op. 116)

ABRSM Grade 8 - B1

Brahms’ late piano pieces are among his most personal and intimate music. This bittersweet, nostalgic Intermezzo is from the set of Fantasies, Op. 116, completed in 1892. Within the progression of harmonies in the outer sections we discover interweaving melodic lines; imagine a dialogue between a violin and a viola and the different tone colours this implies. Even though the texture changes in the middle section and in the coda, this conversation continues throughout. Please click here to sign-in to view the full version of this video excerpt or click... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in B minor (Op. 119 No. 1)

In 1893, Brahms wrote his last work for the piano, a set of four piano pieces, op. 119. The Intermezzo in B minor is the first piece of the set. As a composition it is full of riches, arousing keen interest in composers and scholars (including Arnold Schoenberg) as they have attempted to analyse it bar by bar. It requires from the performer the ability to play expressively at a very slow tempo, warmth of tone and control of texture and pedalling. This piece will appeal to the mature player. Please ... Read >>

Brahms - Intermezzo in E-Flat (Op. 117 No. 1)

Voicing the Middle Notes

This set of pieces was described by Brahms as “lullabies to my sorrows” and the first of the set of three certainly conveys a sense of a rocking motion. In this video, Graham Fitch demonstrates how to bring out the melody in the inner (middle) voices of this piece. Resources & links Click here to view open domain editions for this work (external link). Click here for more resources on Brahms's late piano works. ... Read >>