Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.8
Context
Johannes Brahms completed his 21 Hungarian Dances by 1879, and they still remain one his most popular collections of music. All of the dances are based on traditional Hungarian folk tunes and range from c.1 minute to 6 minutes in duration. Some of the dances have become much more recognisable than others, but as a set they are a force to be reckoned with. During this 21-part ‘Explore Hungarian Dances’ on Classicalexburns, we will be delving into the ins and outs of this famous collection.
The Music
Marked ‘Presto’, the quick-witted eighth dance is littered with familiar twists and turns that you may remember from past dances, most namely No.5. The dramatic pulling around of time dramatically slows the music before it rushes off again, creating that authentic folk dance feel. The only dance to be set in A minor, this piece uses its tonality to create severe light and shade between the major and minor modes. The colourful timbre created by Brahms makes this a more than memorable dance in the collection.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
Happy Reading!
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