Johannes Brahms: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Op.24 (Lars Vogt)

Composer: Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Performed by Lars Vogt (piano) (   • 25 Variations & Fugue on a Theme by Handel...  ,    • 25 Variations & Fugue on a Theme by Handel...  ) This set of 25 variations and fugue on the theme of the third movement of Handel's Suite in B-flat major, HWV 434 (also a theme-and-variations movement) was composed in September 1861, when the composer was 28 years old. The set of variations preceded a substantial line of artistically inspired works that soon followed in the following months, namely the two piano quartets, opp.25 and 26, and a string quintet in F minor that was to be reworked into the piano quintet, op.34, in 1864. The "Handel Variations" were intended as a 42nd birthday gift for Brahms' "dear friend" Clara Schumann, who premiered the work publicly on 7 December 1861 in Hamburg. Over the next few months, Schumann frequently promoted the piece enthusiastically, although the critical response was mixed. However, the first publication was delayed due to a lack of reception expressed towards Brahms' early works, and it was only until July 1862 that the work was first published, by Breitkopf and Härtel. The piece contains an aria (as named by Handel) and twenty-five variations. The concluding fugue is loosely based on the opening aria and introduces a new theme developed throughout. Unlike composers of the Classical period, who generally preserved the mood and style in each variation, Brahms explores several styles in the course of the variations, ranging from seventeenth-century French classical to lush Romantic style. It was the first time that Brahms had written an independent set of "fantasia variations"; previous attempts had formed movements of larger works. This performance was recorded in April 2020. Many thanks to the Discord Score Video Community (https://discord.gg/938w8ZK) for giving me valuable information, inspiration and advice on making this video. Thanks also to my subscribers for supporting me. Chapters: 00:00 - Aria 00:53 - Variation 1 01:47 - Variation 2 02:31 - Variation 3 03:17 - Variation 4 04:07 - Variation 5 05:16 - Variation 6 06:22 - Variation 7 07:01 - Variation 8 07:40 - Variation 9 08:56 - Variation 10 09:34 - Variation 11 10:28 - Variation 12 11:28 - Variation 13. Largamente, ma non più 12:53 - Variation 14 13:32 - Variation 15 14:20 - Variation 16 14:58 - Variation 17 15:33 - Variation 18 16:34 - Variation 19 17:36 - Variation 20 18:37 - Variation 21 19:35 - Variation 22 20:32 - Variation 23 21:10 - Variation 24 21:50 - Variation 25 22:32 - Fuga DISCLAIMER: As per the description of this channel, I do not own the score or audio used in this video.