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Brahms: The Shorter Piano Pieces: Piano Book

$13.99 USD
$13.99 USD
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Brahms: The Shorter Piano Pieces Cover Image
Brahms: The Shorter Piano Pieces: Piano Book

Brahms: The Shorter Piano Pieces: Piano Book

By Johannes Brahms / ed. Maurice Hinson

Level: Early Advanced / Advanced

Item: 00-677
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Description
During the latter part of his life, Brahms wrote only sets of relatively short pieces. With their formal and stylistic perfection, they are among the most valuable of the late-Romantic additions to piano repertoire. Included in this 128-page edition are 30 pieces by Brahms, preceded by a helpful introduction which contains definitions of the ballade, rhapsody, capriccio and intermezzo.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Masterwork Edition
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 128
ISBN10: 0-7390-2769-7
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-2769-1
UPC: 038081013893
SKU: 00-677

More about this title

About the Composer: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) stands among the most influential composers of the Romantic era, known for his rigorous formal training and emotional depth. A master of structure who never wrote an opera or program music, Brahms brought classical discipline to Romantic expression, earning respect from contemporaries like Clara Schumann while maintaining an independent compositional voice throughout his career.

Why we love this

These late piano works showcase Brahms at his most concentrated and poetic. Rather than sprawling virtuosity, each piece distills a complete musical thought into a few pages, making them ideal for advanced pianists seeking substance without excess length. The variety of character studies here (ballade, rhapsody, capriccio, intermezzo) means you can program individual pieces across a season or group them thematically.

What to expect

These pieces inhabit a twilight world of reflection and restraint. Brahms trades youthful passion for wisdom; the music breathes with longer phrases, richer harmonies, and a profound sense of looking backward while moving forward. Quiet intensity pervades even the more energetic numbers.

Who it's for

Advanced pianists seeking substantial repertoire beyond the standard concerto and sonata literature. Teachers assembling concert programs or study lists for students ready to engage with late-Romantic introspection and formal refinement.

How to get the most out of it

  • Attend closely to the formal architecture of each piece, especially in the ballades and rhapsodies; Brahms constructs these through motivic development rather than obvious sectional breaks.
  • Shape phrases with long-line singing tone. These are not decorative miniatures but intimate chamber works translated to solo keyboard.
  • Explore the collection's introductory material on form and style before diving into performance; understanding the generic conventions Brahms both honored and subverted will deepen your interpretation.

How to use it

Program individual pieces across concert seasons to represent Brahms without committing to a full sonata or concerto. Alternately, group three to five pieces of contrasting character for a Brahms-focused solo recital segment that reveals the breadth of his late style.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading complex Romantic harmony and chromatic voice leading
  • Sustaining long musical lines across sparse textures
  • Formal analysis of ballades, rhapsodies, caprices, and intermezzos
  • Pedal technique for blending sonorities in minimal accompaniment
  • Interpretive choices based on generic convention and stylistic context

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