Brahms and the Principle of Developing Variation (California Studies in 19th-Century Music)

California Studies in 19th-Century Music

by Walter Frisch

In this analytical study of eighteen important works by Brahms, Walter Frisch makes skillful use of Schoenberg's provocative concept of "developing variation." Frisch traces a genuine evolution through Brahms's compositions; he considers their relationship not only to each other, but also to significant works by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, and Schoenberg.

Genres: Music

236 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 1984

Reviews

[Brian]

This analysis of Brahms's sonata forms, which I obtained through NYPL interlibrary loan from the Graduate Center, is easy to understand and has me listening anew the works discussed. It's difficult to believe it was based on a doctoral thesis, so many of which have a reputation for impenetrability. I do need some convincing, however, that the Scherzo of the Horn-Trio is "a full-fledged sonata form." The Bibliography of Works Cited -- many of which I are in my library (Gombrich, Keys, Sessions, Tovey) but haven't been opened in years -- is also particularly inspiring. I'm planning to purchase a copy of this book.