Brahms Op. 5 F Minor vs. Schubert D960 B-Flat Major

[daggenhurstfan]

Hey everybody, I needed to ask for some help deciding on which piece is more appropriate for taking on right now as a long term side project. I know the Brahms is much more demanding, but both pieces are musically difficult to manage and that's not my main concern. I'm looking for a comparison of the two and perhaps some insight into each from from those who have played either..

I'm working on the whole Well Tempered Clavier, the Hammerklavier, several Chopin Études, I've played all of the Schubert Impromptus and Moments Musicaux, a few dances but no sonatas, I figure I'd like to start with the grandest one.

Brahms - I've covered a good portion of the Intermezzi and other Klavierstücke, but nothing of this scale...

[stiefel]

Gosh these are two great pieces!  In my opinion they express very different characters.  Which one speaks to you more/do you identify with more?  In my experience (albeit limited), if I'm working on a piece long term I am more successful if I identify well with the mood of the piece.  Otherwise my interpretation feels false which can be very frustrating.

The Schubert sonata is definitely one of his best piano pieces of any form.  The Brahms is very good (even though he was young), but it isn't at the same musical level of his late intermezzi, imo.  Keep this in mind when you choose.

You'll have a blast with either, I'm sure.

[daggenhurstfan]

Ah that's a great point!

The Schubert is one of the culminations of his entire life's work, and it breathes a much more mature air than the other pieces of his i've played through, comparing his first and last piano sonatas one would even think they were different composers!

The Brahms on the other hand, while impressive and pathetique, pales in comparison to the textures found in his Op. 116-119

Hmmmmmmm

I'll get to them both eventually I suppose

[kitty on the keys]

It's always good to see the Schubert and Brahms Sonatas played. I like the C major and fminor of Brahms and the A major and minor and the Bb Sonatas.....Have a great time learning them...listen to lots of recordings. They will all be so different.....which is good.

Kitty on the Keys