I figure the last piano post kind of hinted at this one today.

On Monday when I posted about the Rachmaninoff preludes with Nikolai Lugansky, I talked about his performance of the Brahms Six Piano Pieces, Op.118 and how sweet the videos of them were. So it would seem only obvious to continue with that trend.

The collection is my favorite piano work by Brahms and in my opinion, some of the most beautiful works for solo piano. My two favorite movements of the six are below

No.2, Intermezzo in A major, Andante teneramente


I love the feeling of mystery this movement creates. An endearing melody surrounded by a different series of color and accompaniment in each appearance, Brahms bewilders us here with a lamenting beauty.

No.3, Ballade in G minor, Allegro energico


The ballade embodies a similar feeling of lament. Its deep orchestration in the introduction eludes a feeling of greater majesty whilst still having us succumb to another wonderful romantic melody.

The pieces are a devoted testament to the later years and style of the composer. In 1890 Brahms resolved to give up composition once and for all. However he was not able to remain loyal to his decision and instead continued to produce music. Some of this music from this stage has gone on to be what some say as his "greatest masterpieces."

The Op.118 collection was composed in 1893, they were dedicated to Clara Schumann and were the penultimate composition by the composer to be published before his death.