Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Waltz

Compose Date

:

1865

Average_duration

:

0:31

Johannes Brahms composed his Waltz for piano, 4 hands in B major, Op. 39/13 in 1865. The piece was premiered in Vienna in the same year, with Brahms himself playing the piano alongside his friend and fellow composer, Carl Tausig. The Waltz is part of a collection of 16 waltzes for piano, 4 hands, which Brahms originally composed for solo piano. He later arranged them for four hands, and they were published in two sets of eight waltzes each. The Op. 39 set was published in 1866, and the Op. 52 set in 1868. The Waltz in B major is the thirteenth piece in the Op. 39 set. It is a lively and joyful waltz, with a playful and dance-like character. The piece is in 3/4 time, with a moderate tempo, and features a simple and elegant melody that is passed between the two pianists. The waltz is structured in a traditional A-B-A form, with a contrasting middle section that features a more lyrical and expressive melody. One of the most distinctive features of the Waltz is its use of syncopation, which gives the piece a lively and rhythmic feel. Brahms also employs a variety of dynamic and articulation markings throughout the piece, which add to its expressive and playful character. Overall, Brahms' Waltz for piano, 4 hands in B major, Op. 39/13 is a charming and delightful piece of music that showcases the composer's skill in writing for the piano. Its lively and dance-like character, combined with its use of syncopation and expressive melodies, make it a popular choice for pianists and audiences alike.

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