Composer

:

Johannes Brahms

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Waltz

Compose Date

:

1865

Average_duration

:

1:15

Johannes Brahms composed his Waltz for piano, 4 hands in B minor, Op. 39/11 in 1865. The piece was premiered in Vienna in the same year, with Brahms himself playing the second piano part. The Waltz is part of a collection of 16 waltzes for piano, 4 hands, which Brahms originally composed for solo piano. The collection was later arranged for piano, 4 hands, by the composer himself. The waltzes were inspired by the composer's love of dance music, and they showcase his mastery of the form. The Waltz in B minor is the eleventh piece in the collection, and it is one of the most popular and well-known of the set. The piece is in 3/4 time and has a moderate tempo. It begins with a melancholy melody in the right hand of the first piano, accompanied by a simple chord progression in the left hand. The second piano enters with a counter-melody, and the two pianos play off each other throughout the piece. The Waltz is structured in a traditional A-B-A form, with the A section featuring the main melody and the B section providing a contrast. The B section is in the key of D major and features a more lively and playful melody. The A section returns, but this time with a more elaborate and ornamented version of the main melody. The Waltz in B minor is characteristic of Brahms' style, with its rich harmonies, complex rhythms, and emotional depth. The piece is both elegant and expressive, and it showcases Brahms' skill at writing for piano, 4 hands. The Waltz has become a staple of the piano repertoire and is frequently performed in concerts and recitals.

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