🇩🇪Johannes Brahms ： Two Sarabandes No.2 in h-moll WoO.5

Brahms’s No. 2 from the Two Sarabandes is a short piece that combines the balanced flow of a triple-meter dance reminiscent of an old dance form with a deeply contemplative character. Within its concise structure of two sections, the poised melody changes in character as the harmony shifts, while the lingering resonance of its brief phrases quietly sustains the music. In performance, it is important to sense the sarabande’s characteristic weight on the second beat without overemphasizing the meter, and to listen carefully to each voice, including the inner parts. Use the pedal sparingly so that the sound remains clear, and avoid rushing the ornaments or subtle chordal movements. Connecting the phrases with restrained lyricism allows the shading within the simple writing to emerge.