Waltzes Op.39 – Piano Duet

In spring 1865 Brahms surprised his friends and acquaintances with 16 little waltzes for piano four-hands. He informed his friend the well-known critic Eduard Hanslick about this in April 1866, saying that his thoughts while writing them had been “of Vienna and its pretty girls” which is also how they sound light, cheerful, one is tempted to say “Schubertian.” They still enjoy great popularity today, also for home music-making. Brahms also transcribed the waltzes for piano two hands (see editions HN 42, 43).