Johannes Brahms

This is one of the shorter dances among the 21 in the famous set of Hungarian Dances that Brahms composed for piano, four-hands. Though its thematic sources are Hungarian, its character is more Brahmsian, less overtly folkish, like several of the works in the four books comprising the set. Brahms typically adapted the source themes to suit his own style, not necessarily to retain the ethnic spirit of the melody. Here, one hears a pastoral festive character in the jaunty main theme, but it might just as well be depicting a celebration in the German countryside as in the Hungarian Plains or Gypsy camps. The piece opens with a playful, mischievous theme, moderately paced in its strutting gait. Gradually, the music develops more color and a greater sense of animation, even if the tempo does not increase. The second subject imparts a festive mood and high spirits, and the ensuing brief middle section comes across as pure Brahms in its light, almost mocking manner as the music purports to turn serious for a moment. The main material makes another appearance and the piece ends in a chipper mood. This work typically has a duration of about a minute-and-a-half.