Description
Brahms engaged with the violin sonata genre early on. As early as 1853, he wrote a sonata in A minor, but this youthful work by the self-critical composer no longer survives. The G-major sonata, op. 78, written in 1878/79, is now considered his first contribution to the genre. This work has the nickname "Regenlied Sonata" (literally "rain-song sonata") due to the quotation from a song that appears in the finale.
In the summer of 1886, Brahms composed the two sonatas, op. 100 and op. 108, almost simultaneously. These three works have now secured a firm place in the canon of violin repertoire.
The volume concludes with the Scherzo in C minor that Brahms contributed to the so-called "F.A.E Sonata" in 1853. He composed this piece together with Robert Schumann and Albert Dietrich as a gift for the violinist Joseph Joachim. With its stark contrast between the turbulent allegro and the emotional più moderato sections, Brahms' scherzo has become a popular bravura and encore piece.
This new edition is based on the New Brahms Complete Edition and offers a musical text and commentary that have been revised according to the latest research. The fingering is provided by the respective masters of their instruments, Frank Peter Zimmermann and Martin Helmchen.
