Johannes Brahms / May 7, 1833 – April 3, 1897

HUNGARIAN DANCES, NO. 1, NO. 6.

When Brahms was a twenty year-old unknown, he met an audacious travelling Hungarian violinist, Eduard Reményi, described by his friends as a “self-satisfied fantastic virtuoso.” Reményi invited Brahms to tour with him as his pianist. While touring, Reményi introduced Brahms to “gypsy music” which Brahms found to be exciting and unabashed in its expressiveness. Brahms originally converted these lively tunes into twenty-one pieces for two pianos, then for solo piano, and finally for orchestra. They have since endured and found their place as razzle-dazzle openers.

Numbers one and six are two of the most performed of the lot. You might not recognize them by their numerical designations, but you will as soon as the music begins. The challenge of these tricky pieces, especially dance Number 2, is managing the dramatic changes in tempo. It shifts in the blink of an eye. Eric and our musicians will have their hands full. Also, keep an eye on the piccolo in Number 1. Wow!