Brahms' Op. 34 is one of the many attempts of the young composer at a large symphonic form. First conceived as a string quartet his friend the great violinist Joseph Joachim found it not suited for strings, so Brahms wrote a setting for two pianos, which her premiered himself with Carl Tausig. Again on advice of a close friend, this time his beloved Clara Schumann, who found the work too grand in scope to be limited to two pianos, he wrote a version for piano and strings, the piano quintet Op. 34a. However Brahms still favored the version for 2 pianos, which indeed is a master piece in it's genre. The Haydn variations Op.56 were simultaneously composed for 2 pianos and for orchestra. This ever popular work is often heard in concert, and shows Brahms as the genius of the variation form, transforming the popular St Antoni Chorale into variations of great invention and different characters, from tenderness, playfulness to the joyful maestoso finale. Excellent performances by a young Italian duo, Michele Benignetti and Eleonora Spina, winners of several international chamber music competitions.
1 Sonata for 2 Piano's in F minor Op. 34B: I. Allegro Non Troppo
2 Sonata for 2 Piano's in F minor Op. 34B: II. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
3 Sonata for 2 Piano's in F minor Op. 34B: III. Scherzo, Allegro
4 Sonata for 2 Piano's in F minor Op. 34B: IV. Finale. Poco Sostenuto - Allegro Non Troppo
5 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: I. Choral St. Antoni - Andante
6 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: II. Variation I. Andante Con Moto, Poco Più Animato
7 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: III. Variation II. Più Vivace
8 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: IV. Variation III. Con Moto
9 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: V. Variation IV. Andante Con Moto
10 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: VI. Variation V. Poco Presto, Vivace
11 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: VII. Variation VI. Vivace
12 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: VIII. Variation VII. Grazioso
13 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: IX. Variation VIII. Poco Presto
14 Variations on a Theme By Haydn, Op. 56B: X. Finale - Andante
Brahms' Op. 34 is one of the many attempts of the young composer at a large symphonic form. First conceived as a string quartet his friend the great violinist Joseph Joachim found it not suited for strings, so Brahms wrote a setting for two pianos, which her premiered himself with Carl Tausig. Again on advice of a close friend, this time his beloved Clara Schumann, who found the work too grand in scope to be limited to two pianos, he wrote a version for piano and strings, the piano quintet Op. 34a. However Brahms still favored the version for 2 pianos, which indeed is a master piece in it's genre. The Haydn variations Op.56 were simultaneously composed for 2 pianos and for orchestra. This ever popular work is often heard in concert, and shows Brahms as the genius of the variation form, transforming the popular St Antoni Chorale into variations of great invention and different characters, from tenderness, playfulness to the joyful maestoso finale. Excellent performances by a young Italian duo, Michele Benignetti and Eleonora Spina, winners of several international chamber music competitions.
