Johannes Brahms

Valse No. 5 op. 39 Mi Majeur

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Opus 39 is composed of sixteen waltzes. The original version, published in 1865, was for four hands, but Brahms created a simplified version for two, published in 1867. The composer's sixteen exquisite waltzes are his only testimony to the Viennese tradition.
The writing of these waltzes is of great simplicity. Their structures are different from those of Strauss's Viennese waltzes. They have no slow introduction, no trio, no coda, but are more akin to a ländler in their sobriety. All these waltzes are of the ABA form, in which two thematic motifs are interwoven and linked to each other.
The register of the melody in Waltz no. 5 in E major is quite unusual. It sings in the piano's intermediate alto voice. In contrast to the character of waltz no. 5, waltz no. 9 in D minor has a playful tone. This expressive dance piece has a binary rhythm in 4/4 time. Many sighs intermingle in this waltz. Rossini saw in it reminiscences of a waltz by Schumann from the Davidsbündler collection.
Pianists who love Viennese waltzes and Strauss will be amazed to discover that Brahms went out of his way to "make his audience waltz". Listen to these two harmonious, melancholy little waltzes and let the dancing begin.