6 Pieces

The autumnal years of Brahms’ life saw an outpouring of small, introspective piano pieces, as he rapidly completed four sets of miniatures (opp. 116-119). He wrote Op. 118 during the summer of 1893, while he was on holiday in the Austrian spa resort of Bad Ischl. Dedicated to the pianist and composer Clara Schumann, these pieces show Brahms’ craftsmanship when it comes to exploiting the piano's expressive resonances, and his ability to distil mood and character. Marked “molto appassionato”, the opening “Intermezzo in A Minor” is unique in the set for being based on a single theme—its expressive arpeggios ripple with emotion. Elsewhere, Brahms turns to his preferred tripartite ABA structure, setting up some stunning contrasts between the outer and inner sections—hear how, in the “Ballade” third piece, the soft inner-section melody in B major contrasts with the opening, more forceful one in G Minor. Later, the lingering opening of the final “Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor” immediately draws us into a new atmosphere, a melancholic soundworld filled with mystery.