What's with this German guy writing all these intermezzi?

Look at this guy. This guy could have been a model for Gucci, but instead he became a composer of some of the best classical music on the planet. The early solo piano works of Johannes Brahms are the longest pieces of music you will hear until Sorabji. That doesn't mean that they're not good, . . . just a little lengthy. Especially Op. 4, the F minor Sonata. The first time I heard it I couldn't make it through in one sitting. I absolutely love the opening theme of the first movement. After the huge opening comes a processional-like second idea that carries the listener all the way into the development. I don't know, I think that the first sonata has a better pair of themes, but this still works. It's quite grand.

The best works that he has to offer come later on. Besides his Op. 1 (C Major Piano sonata) and the Op. 8b trio (I also like the Op. 10 Ballades, but they are not the cream of the crop), his best works take some time to come out. These start with his Op. 79 Rhapsodies (which are great short romantic pieces) as well as the Op. 116 fantasies and going to the zenith point with the opera 118 and 119. I mean, Op. 117 has its moments, but it can't hold a candle next to its younger brothers opera 118 and 119. The funny thing to me is that before Brahms wrote all these short works, he was documented saying that he "run out of all his creative ideas". Thank God he was wrong.

Until next time,
Have a good one. . . Toha-Out!