Brahms composed his Intermezzi Opus 117 together with his Fantasien Op.116 during a short stay at Bad Ischl in Austria. This set is even more introspective compared to the previous opus. When Brahms sent this set of Intermezzi to Clara Schumann, she claimed, “in these pieces I at last feel musical life stir once again in my soul”. Perfused with melancholy and grief, these three Intermezzi were regarded as “three lullabies for my sorrows” by the composer.
I am always deeply moved by this music, and I used it as the introductory theme for my Radio show when I was a broadcaster.
Times have moved forward…
Listen now as the late Nelson Freire plays this music as an encore at one of his concerts:
