Piano Pieces op. 118

The piano pieces opp. 116-119 were written in 1892/93 and are the last collections of pieces which Brahms wrote for the instrument. Particularly noteworthy is his use of the “small form” accompanied by a heightened increase in musical expression compared to his earlier works. Clara Schumann, probably the secret dedicatee of the piano pieces, wrote in her diary in November 1892: “a true source of enjoyment, everything, poetry, passion, fantasy, intimacy, full of the most marvellous sound effects […]. In these pieces I finally feel musical life drawn into my soul again and play once more with true devotion.”

A renewed critical evaluation of all known sources has resulted in small deviations from previous readings.