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Variations

Variations on a Hungarian Song, Op.21 No.2

Johannes Brahms (1853)

DifficultyAdvanced
Duration6:13
Notes4,439
OpusOp.21 No.2

Description

This variation set by Brahms takes a Hungarian folk-style melody as its theme, with dance rhythms and folk-inflected color running through each variation. Though only about six minutes long, it is densely written and calls for advanced players who can bring out its rhythmic bite and shifting harmonic colors.

Works written in theme-and-variations form, where a single melody is transformed in many different ways.

About the Composer

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Johannes Brahms was a composer born in Hamburg who rose to prominence after being championed by Robert and Clara Schumann, later settling in Vienna. He fused classical formal rigor with Romantic expressiveness across symphonies and chamber music, and in his later years wrote many introspective piano miniatures. This site includes 25 of his works, such as intermezzi, waltzes, and ballades.

View all works by Brahms
Variations on a Hungarian Song, Op.21 No.2 - Johannes Brahms | Visual Piano