Johannes Brahms

Hungarian Dances Nos. 5 and 6

Originally written for piano four hands in 1879, this set of 21 lively dance tunes, mostly on Hungarian themes, are among Johannes Brahms' most popular works today, and they were the most profitable for him in his own lifetime also. In 1850, Brahms was introduced to "gypsy-style" music through Hungarian violinist Ede Reményi, including the csárdás "Bártfai emlék" (Memories of Bártfa) by Hungarian composer Béla Kéler, which became the basis for Hungarian Dance No. 5. Arranged for many different instruments and ensembles over the years, the 1885 orchestration by Albert Parlow of Hungarian Dance No. 6 moved the key from the original D-flat to D major, though the key for No. 5 remains the same as the original piano version. This edition includes both tenor and bass clef parts for the trombones. Instrumentation: 1+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp.Perc(2): Str(9.8.7.6.5).