Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.14
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
Number 14, set primarily in D minor, is a broad account of a past theme. Led by shimmering strings and accompanied by off-beat brass and woodwind, the huge cascades of sound create quite the impact. Slower in tempo than many other dances in this set, number 14 focuses on the melodic content and the handling of textures. Brahms keeps the lid on this movement, even until the end where many might think a huge explosion would occur. This dance concludes as it began, boldly in D minor.
Ⓒ Alex Burns
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