Brahms Scherzo in C Minor for Violin and Piano (“Sonatensatz”)

Scherzo in C Minor for Violin and Piano (“Sonatensatz”)

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

As a young man Johannes Brahms met the celebrated Hungarian violinist, Josef Joachim, who would become a lifelong friend, and inspiration for all of his violin compositions. The German subtitle “Sonatensatz” refers to the curious fact that this scherzo movement was originally part of a composite violin sonata written for Joachim, with three different composers contributing movements to form a complete work. The scherzo was composed in 1853 when Brahms was barely 20 years old, but was only published in 1906, soon finding a place in the concert repertory.

From the very beginning the music leaps into action, seizing the listener’s attention with pounding rhythms, sweeping lyrical phrases and an air of dramatic expectancy. The music becomes more subdued for a gentler contrasting episode at midpoint, returning to the rhythmic energy of the opening, rounding out the work with a majestic conclusion.

for a concert by Darwyn Apple