I love this piece, and played it a few years ago. It seems relatively simple, but man, did I have a difficult time with the voicing. I don't think I ever managed to get it quite right. This is maybe one of my favourite performances of this piece. Even with the greatest pianists it tends to be muddled or unnaturally passionate.
Thank you so much for this, Cole. You are by far my favorite pianist on any social media platform - always so thoughtful! I agree with you that the late Brahms works are pearls of the repertoire. And this one, op. 117 no 1, I believe rivals the perhaps more famous op. 118 no 2 in beauty and "romantic nostalgia", as you describe.
I just recently played this and the 2nd intermzzo for a recital, the biggest challenge was being able to fill the hall while keeping the intimate atmosphere of the piece. Great playing!
I love your videos on late Brahms, really great. I also love the way you managed to bring out the canon between the voices on the final return of the lullaby - it's not easy to make that clear to the listener. I do agree with the commenter who wanted the middle section a little softer. The anguished harmonies do seem to call for more volume, but Brahms was pretty clear in his dynamic markings. I think a lot of late Brahms is about strong emotions that are inhibited and have trouble coming out (as though he wants to say something but hesitates), and a softer dynamic would bring that aspect of the middle section out more clearly. Thanks for these great analyses.
Usually I don't get to your videos until the evening. But I couldn't wait for this one--I was just playing this myself this past week. You can make videos of every piece from Opp. 116, 117, 118, 119 and I'll watch them all. The voicing is especially good in this performance. Just in case you are taking votes for which ones to feature, I will submit 116/2, 3, 4, 7; 118/3, 5; 119/4 as candidates. Looking forward to more of this. =)
It’s in my “end of life” plan (PSA: every adult should have one to ensure that your loved ones are very clear on how you wish to make your exit, in the event that you are not able to advocate for yourself) to have the Brahms intermezzi playing in whatever room I am “ascending” from. There is probably more “sublime” music, but none that I know of that rides that boundary between remorse/longing and a love of life. Your playing does them justice. Thank you. And have a great holiday!
Mine (at least, when I make one) is to listen to the Adagio from Mahler's 9th Symphony. In my opinion, it's perfectly representative of the 5 stages of grief one would experience while dying, with the gradually waning ending (starting from that wistful cello solo) signifying acceptance and finally being able to pass on peacefully 💜
Personally I would have liked the middle section a little softer, but excellent analysis!! I look forward to seeing you analyze all of the late Brahms piano pieces. Are you thinking of analyzing the Brahms piano sonatas in the future? I'm particularly fond of the third one.
Thanks for such a cogent analysis of this simple yet subtle lullaby of Brahms, beautifully rendered in your hands. Looking forward to your thoughts on the other 2 Intermezzi that form this musical triptych of sound. This late Brahms is so tender and lyrical and your rendition is likewise.
Not sure what your definition of "late" is...Op. 76 is not especially late but has some wonderful things in it. Hope you give it some attention. (I played quite a few of these in college, decades ago.)
Anyway, why stop at "short"? There's the Handel Variations, other variation sets such as Op. 21 #1...even the early sonatas have their moments. But I guess at some point you have to triage...
