An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme Two, hushed and 'tuneless', with piano, clarinets and strings

Jeremy Siepmann

Classics Explained: BRAHMS - Piano Concerto No. 2 (Siepmann)

1 MINUTE AND 28 SECONDS • JUL 11 2001

Album Tracklist

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Introduction; opening horn call and piano's answer

01:50

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Rising three-note scalewise pattern

00:25

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Quicker, descending six-note 'answer'

00:18

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Second, answering phrase

00:32

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: First Main Theme completed by orchestra

00:50

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Peace shattered as piano bursts back in like a tiger

01:24

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Variant of opening horn call in bass

00:19

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Orchestra returns; beginning of Exposition proper

02:25

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Big, 'singing' theme in orchestra; piano 'forgotten'

00:41

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Call to arms by strings; marshalling of orchestral forces

01:03

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano re-enters fry with massive expansion of opening figure

00:48

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano 'explores' two main facets of opening theme

00:45

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Transition. sense of key weakened. Piano and orchestra come together

01:07

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano and orchestra 'argue' over speed of thematic three-note rise

00:41

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano and orchestra in friendly dialogue before piano falls away

01:28

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: 'Winged' harmonic shadow of pure pianistic tone-colour

00:45

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: New 'transitional' theme from orchestra developed by piano

01:51

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: After indecision and discussion, the mood suddenly turns playful

00:26

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Reminder of Second Main Theme in its original form

00:43

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Ttransfomation of Second Main Theme by piano

00:40

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano hijacks orchestra's 'call to arms'

00:43

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano and orchestra, now allies, explore theme, but with piano leading

01:08

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Dramatic eruption of orchestra leads to the Development section

01:13

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Pianistic 'tiger' replaced by gentle reflective, soft-spoken poet

00:30

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Transformed 'tiger' theme amicably shared by piano and orchestra

00:44

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: An apparently new theme - but Battlle Hymn of the Republic?

00:41

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Brief, downward-driving section prepares for the Recapitulation

00:54

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: On the threshold of the Recapitulation

00:54

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Recapitulation: The Magical Return

01:06

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: From Gate-crashing Tiger to Celestial Tenderness - and a surprise

01:17

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: And unexpected and portentus change of mood, suggesting tragedy

01:01

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Summation

00:30

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: First Movement (Complete)

17:16

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Second Movement: The upward-driving opening gambit, piano alone

00:13

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Downward-driving answer from lower strings

00:27

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme vs Melody

00:58

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Eerie, unharmonised, 'white' sound of Second Theme

00:45

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Second Theme taken up and developed by piano

01:25

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Expectation and surprise; harmonic fluidity and intensifying drama

01:40

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Return (and transformation) of Theme Two

00:41

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme One returns in orchestra; Theme Three emerges in major mode

01:00

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Sequence of fragmentary episodes begins with unexpected fanfare

00:58

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Variant of Theme Three in piano

00:36

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Rescored variant of 'fanfare' theme; from grandeur to solemnity

00:21

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Rhapsodic variant of fanfare, this time for piano alone

00:24

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Recapitulation of opening, with piano and orchestra reversing roles

01:07

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme Two transformed by new instrumentation

00:36

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Cue and Second Movement (Complete)

09:23

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Introduction, cue and First Main Theme

01:53

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme One taken up by strings and solo oboe; piano's entry

01:20

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Complex variant of Theme One with very different speed and rhythm

00:42

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Orchestra and piano in mixed variants of Theme One, now intensified

01:10

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme Two, hushed and 'tuneless', with piano, clarinets and strings

01:28

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Oboe Theme returns, now delicately embroidered by the piano

00:46

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Cue and Third Movement (Complete)

11:50

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Finale: Introduction, cue and Main Theme

00:57

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Violins take up tune, with winds and piano accompanying

00:24

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano introduces Part 2 of the main theme

00:37

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Part 3 of the theme, led by piano, in 'fiercely' self-confident mood

00:54

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: First Episode, Part 1

00:47

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: First Episode, Part 2

00:23

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano hands theme over to clarinets and bassoons

00:15

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: First Episode, Part 3, in piano, first; then flutes and oboes

00:40

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Strings and flutes take theme, with bubbling commentary from piano

00:28

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Tipsy dancers (piano and winds) return, tiring; strings take over

00:38

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: In the central Episode, the orchestra throws down a dramatic challenge

00:28

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: ... to which the piano duly responds with a stormy outburst

00:10

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano kick-starts run-up to final section in a variant of the main theme

00:41

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Orchestra sets off on jaunty march, later joined by the piano

00:25

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Piano propels orchestra into final section

00:46

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Summation and cue to the movement as a whole

00:22

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Finale (Complete)

09:08

Classics Explained: BRAHMS - Piano Concerto No. 2 (Siepmann)

An Introduction to … BRAHMS: Theme Two, hushed and 'tuneless', with piano, clarinets and strings