J. Brahms Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (Live/Pianist Seulki Susie Yoo) (youtube, 12.3.2024)

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J. Brahms Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (Live/Pianist Seulki Susie Yoo)

Thema. Ziemlich langsam Variation

 

1. L'istesso tempo Variation 

2. Poco più moto Variation 

3. Tempo di tema Variation 

4. Poco più moto Variation 

5. Allegro capriccioso Variation 

6. Allegro Variation 

7. Andante Variation 

8. Andante (non troppo lento) Variation 

9. Schnell Variation 

10. Poco Adagio Variation 

11. Un poco più animato Variation 

12. Allegretto, poco scherzando - Presto Variation 

13. Non troppo Presto Variation 

14. Andante Variation 

15. Poco Adagio Variation 

16. [Adagio] 

Variations theme on Schumann. Op. 9 is Brahms’s first independent variation, meaning it is not paired with his other compositions; the first pair is Brahms’ piano sonatas Op.1-second movement and Op. 2- second movement, the second pair is Op.21, 1 and 2. In this composition, Brahms departs widely from the variation form as well as from the rigidity of writing his Sonatas Op. 1, 2, and 5. Brahms Op.9 can be viewed as the most innovative and creative outcome of his early compositions for several reasons. Brahms constructively sought for a new and creative [Neuere] compositional style in variation form, and he saw the bass as the critical creativity-enabling element . Theoretically speaking, Brahms’s wild experiment in Op. 9 is possible because of his exploitation of the role of bass in the variation genre. Second, Brahms alludes to his personalities (dual personas), by using ‘B (Brahms)’ and ‘Kr (Kreisler)’ throughout the variations. Lastly, Brahms’s use of daring harmony that foreshadows his ambiguity in later compositions is shown in Op. 9. Therefore, in this paper, the following discussion of Op.9 will include Brahms’s perspective on variation genre ‘fantasy-variation,’ and a glimpse of his inward qualities that are shown in personas, and a thorough analysis of Op. 9 based on Brahms’ use of bass in terms of fantasy-variation form. - Note by Seulki Susie Yoo Please visit my website (www.seulkisusieyoo.com) for detailed analysis and interpretation of Brahms Op. 9.

(youtube, 12.3.2024)