Brahms's Intermezzo

[viv]

Hi all, i'm preparing the programme notes on Brahms's Intermezzo, Opus 118 No.2 for the upcoming exam.

'The Opus 116 to 119 of Brahms’s piano solo works were composed during the summer holidays of 1892 and 1893 at Ischl'  ...is Ischl correct, i got this info from the internet.

Thanks!

[bernhard]

Yes, this is correct.

Op. 118 may have been composed slightly earlier, but Simrock published them (together with op. 119) in November 1893. Clara Schumann then in her seventies (and not in her prime as a pianist any more) had this to say:

“Everyday my most beautiful hour is the one I owe to you […] the treasure you have given me in your new pieces constitute my only musical joy […] And then there is the A major (no. 2), and its middle movement in Fsharp minor with its lovely medley of melodies […] how full of profound feeling and how dreamy it all is”

The first public performance of the (complete) op. 118 was in London, 22 January 1894, with pianist Ilona Eibenschutz.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[viv]

Bernhard, you've got such detailed info...that's really useful!  
There's loads of recordings of this Intermezzo..the latest cd i've heard was Lang Lang's live performance.

[bernhard]

Yes, it is a popular piece. You may want to listen to Julius Katchen, arguably Brahms foremost interpreter.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.