I. Brahms "Hungarian Dances": history, video, content, interesting facts, listen

Johannes Brahms "Hungarian Dances"

Johannes Brahms' Hungarian dances are unusual music for classical perception. Each piece is unique in that it conveys the versatility of the national Hungarian flavor. Freedom and temperament capture the listener from the first sound. You can get acquainted with the history of creation, read interesting facts, and listen to music performed by the best musicians of our time on our website.

History of creation

In 1853, Johannes Brahms went on tour in Germany with the talented Hungarian violinist Ede Remeni. Acquaintance of musicians took place in 1849. Then Remeni first came to Hamburg on tour. Enthusiasm, love for their own business and incredible skill admired everyone who heard the truly magical game of Ede. He was famous for his temperamental improvisations on the themes of folk dances. Then Brahms met the musician. After a trip to Paris, in the winter of 1852, Remeni was again in Hamburg, and invited Johannes to go on tour with him around the cities of Germany.

The route included visits to famous musicians: Liszt and Schumann. The first major point in the journey was Hanover. Along the way, the musicians gave concerts in small German towns - Vincennes, Lüneburg, Celle. It is impossible to convey what bright impressions filled the young Brahms. Together with Ede, they walked a lot on foot, got acquainted with the locals, could spontaneously have an improvised night concert. The listeners were delighted with the music. People crowded, had fun and got pleasure from what they heard.

Externally, the musicians were very different: dark and energetic Remeni and blue-eyed blond Brahms. They created only visible contrast. Inner temperament was emphasized in the works. The game in the ensemble allowed to demonstrate the real character of Brahms, revealed his artistry and charisma. Despite the fact that the program was approved, Brahms played without notes, he did not even take them with him, which again signified and added to the concert a feeling of improvisation. The folk tunes that were so often performed were not even recorded. Later they will become the famous "Hungarian Dances". The trip left countless warm memories of touring life, of the public. After 16 years, the composer will record the first ten dances for piano four hands, in a year another 11 compositions will be ready. In 1869, two notebooks will publish, which will bring great fame to the composer. Practically everyone with an instrument in the house will begin to play four hands with virtuoso compositions.

In 1872, the author returns to the much-loved “Hungarian Dances” and creates the arrangement for two hands of the first notebook, and in eight years the arrangement of the second notebook will be ready, and the third and fourth will be completed.

In 1874, the author decided to orchestrate three numbers: №1, 3, and 10. Throughout his life, Johannes Brahms retained his love for Hungarian music. For him, this country has become a symbol of freedom and emancipation of the spirit. So in 1861 there will be wonderful variations on the Hungarian song.

Interesting Facts

• Ede Remeni is the first violinist who managed to bring out the art of verbunkosch and chardash as a concert program. He was a popularizer of national Hungarian music in Europe, and then America. Ede managed to do the impossible: ignite a fiery gypsy passion in restrained and measured Europeans and Americans.
• Hungarian dances have had a significant impact on the development of ragtime and American music in general. Strong impression from listening to essays was made on Scott Joplin, who praised the work of Brahms.
• The creative union of Brahms and Remeni existed for a relatively short time. According to the composer, the musician had too much slyness, lies and pretense. Brahms always appreciated people for sincerity and benevolence and did not tolerate any other attitude. All the necessary features he found in Joseph Joachim. With a talented violinist, he met just during a trip to Hanover. In the future, Joachim will create an arrangement of "Hungarian Dances" for violin and piano. Comrade will be faithful to Brahms until the end of life.
• In total there are 4 notebooks of "Hungarian Dances".
• The most famous compositions are No. 1 and 5. It is known that the melodies of these compositions belong to the Hungarian composer Bela Köhler. Brahms did not know this and considered music national folklore.
• No. 11, 14, 16 are completely written by the author, including the melody. In all other rooms, the author quotes genuine Hungarian traditional music.
• It is known that the Czech composer Antonin Dvořák selectively orchestrated "Hungarian Dances", which seriously influenced his further work. Prior to this, the composer wrote a collection of "Slavic dances."

Orchestral versions

• The author's orchestration of 1874 dances No. 1, 3, 10. In number 10, when performing orchestration, Brahms changed the tone from E-dur to F-dur, raising the piece to a semitone. The arrangement was made at the request of the publisher.
• In 1880, Antonín Dvořák was inspired by the work of Brahms and created orchestration for the fourth notebook, which included the number 17 - 21.
• In 1881, the German composer and arranger Albert Parlou decided to create arrangements for dances from 11 to 16 numbers, as well as the fifth and sixth numbers.
• In 1894, the Swedish composer Andreas Hallen completed the orchestra of dances numbered 2, 3, 7.
• In 1908, the Russian musical teacher, as well as the brother of the famous artist Konstantin Yuon, Pavel Fyodorovich Yuon orchestrated the Hungarian dance number 4.
• In 1955, Austrian composer, pianist and teacher Robert Shollum, who wrote in the neoclassic style, decided to create unusual orchestral versions of three dances numbered 4.8 and 9.
• Also in the 20th century, Hungarian dances No. 8 and 9 were shifted for orchestra by the hand of a talented Austrian composer and musicologist Hans Galya. In the future, the scientist will write an interesting book "Brahms. Wagner. Verdi. Three Masters - Three Worlds", which will be published in Russia in 1986.
• The talented violinist and devoted friend of Johannes Brahms Joseph Joachim created masterly arrangements for the entire cycle of works for violin and piano.
• Recently, Ivan Fisher orchestrated all Hungarian dances.

Content

"Hungarian Dances" is a collection of musical works consisting of four notebooks. The absence of a clear numbering allows the author to emphasize that the author is the people, and he is just an interpreter. The first, second and fourth notebooks traditionally include five essays, the third included six works.

Dance number 1, written in the elegiac tonality of g-moll, is a Hungarian folk dance - chardash, many researchers claim that it is a slow kind of lash. The room is contrasted in mood and structure, which fully corresponds to the classical two-part form. The first part of the issue has a tinge of melancholy, regrets about the past, a slow pace emphasizes the character of the work. The second part has a moving, cheerful mood. Against the background of the musical material presented earlier, sharp rhythms sound even more fun and playful. Especially gracefully sounds composition in the orchestral version.

Hungarian dance number 1 (listen)

Dance number 2 written in the key of D minor. Genre orientation is chardash. The languid melody captures and takes the listener from the first sound. Vibrating theme has a wide range of sound, which makes it particularly interesting and embossed.

Dance number 3 has a major key - in F major. Bright and cheerful character defines the traditional Hungarian wedding dance in music. The feeling of celebration is present throughout the entire room.

Hungarian dance number 3 (listen)

Dance number 4 written in the key of F minor. Pictures of a village holiday appear before your eyes. The visual aids used by the composer highlight the characteristic features of traditional music. The atmosphere of verbunkosha accompanies from start to finish. The imitation of the folk instruments of Hungary is unusual.

Dance number 5 is the most famous and colorful composition. Original tonality - F-sharp minor. The genre nature of the theme - chardash is clearly manifested. Dotted rhythm gives the musical pattern of sharpness and dynamics. The contrasting middle fits organically into the overall composition.

Hungarian dance number 5 (listen)

Dance number 6 - This is a vivid example of a miniature in true Hungarian traditions. The tonality of the Des-dur emphasizes the dynamism and brilliance of the Hungarian folk dance. Changing dynamics, tempo make music lively and playful. Dense chords in combination with a simple, humorous melody reflect the features of chardash. The use of cymbals and drums in the orchestral version creates an atmosphere of luxurious festivities.

Hungarian dance number 6 (listen)

Dance number 7 has the key of A major. The writing plunges into the life of the freedom-loving gypsies. The piece has a fiery temperament and an incredibly fast change of emotional state.

Dance number 19 enters the fourth notebook and is written in the key of B-flat major. At the time of Brahms, the number was a real hit, everybody knew him, regardless of age and wealth. The character resembles a river, the flow of which varies with the direction of the wind. A calm, measured movement instantly turns into a stormy, fiery stream of emotions. Music is literally permeated with bright sunlight.

Practically all the compositions are replete with the presence of techniques characteristic of Hungarian music, which include a dotted, jerky rhythm, the predominance of extended seconds, giving rise to a special type of scale, called the Gypsy scale.

The use of music in the cinema

Relief musical works can often be heard, both in modern cinema and in masterpieces of cinema. The most popular dance number 5.

The creation of the master - "Hungarian Dances" - is a true art. It will not fade through the ages. Glittering, virtuoso music warmed the hearts of listeners in the distant 1853, and will also warm in the 21st century. The filigree and liveliness of the compositions show the flavor of the country. The streets of Budapest come alive to the listener, people, in the details appear vivid pictures of the life of such a free people.