The 16 waltzes that make up Brahms' Op. 39 exist in
versions for both solo piano and for piano four-hands.
This one, as well as Nos. 1, 2, 8, 11, and 14, were
also transcribed by the composer for two pianos,
four-hands. But it is the solo piano rendition,
chronologically the second of the three versions, that
is the most played; moreover, the Fifteenth Waltz here,
in any version, is among the most widely known of all
Brahms' piano pieces.
The Op. 39 Waltzes are light and Viennese in cha...(+)
The 16 waltzes that make up Brahms' Op. 39 exist in
versions for both solo piano and for piano four-hands.
This one, as well as Nos. 1, 2, 8, 11, and 14, were
also transcribed by the composer for two pianos,
four-hands. But it is the solo piano rendition,
chronologically the second of the three versions, that
is the most played; moreover, the Fifteenth Waltz here,
in any version, is among the most widely known of all
Brahms' piano pieces.
The Op. 39 Waltzes are light and Viennese in character,
and brief in duration, generally lasting a minute or
two. This A flat Waltz comfortably fits that mold and
opens with one of Brahms' most memorable themes: it is
serene and elegant in its slow pacing, soothing too in
its catchy simplicity, the music becoming instantly
familiar to the novice listener. In its second subject
-- which is really a miniature development of the main
theme -- the music takes on a grander character and
somewhat larger sonorities, as chords thicken and the
main line enters the upper register. Here, the music
even hints at the richer, more epic Brahmsian
expressive manner of the two piano concertos. Yet the
light Viennese character is never cast aside throughout
both expositions. In the third and final appearance of
the melody, the music turns lighter still, even playful
in its almost fairytale-like treatment in the upper
register.
Source: All Music
(https://www.allmusic.com/composition/waltz-for-piano-i
n-a-flat-major-op-39-15-mc0002445891).
Although originally written for Solo Piano, I created
this Arrangement of the Waltz in Ab Major (Opus 39 No.
15) for Viola & Concert (Pedal) Harp
PARTITION