Variations on a Theme By J. Brahms

Variation II.mp3 Variations on a Theme By J. Brahms.pdf

This is my entry to the Fall 2016 Competition! The theme in question is from the famous finale of Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 1. Please see the attached notes for more information about the piece. For your reference, here is a snippet of the theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhHb-62BfpI

Thanks for listening, and feel free to share any feedback!

Well, I know who the early frontrunner is.  These are amazing.  I especially like the second variation, sounds like something Mahler would write and extremely neat to use the rest of the movement as part of the coda within the last variation.

This is impressive. Nice work! Coincidentally you posted this the day after I went through and listened to all the Brahms symphonies again. They're all brilliant, though I would disagree that they don't have many memorable themes. I mean his wind solos (particularly in symphony no 2) and especially his brilliant cello solos (3 & 4) are pretty memorable I would say.

Great theme selection, and wonderful variations. Considering the season I especially enjoyed the 3rd which has a lovely Christmas/Holiday sound. For me anyway. 

*Sound of jaw dropping*

Oh my God, one of the greatest work that I ever saw in the site. Definitely not a good piece of news for us competitors  

Wow this is really great. I too enjoyed the second variation very much and really makes me want to step my game up! 

Thanks for the kind words everyone! 

@SebastianViola: I agree, but the general public (even some musicians) have a hard time coming up with one of his themes. From my experience Brahms is one of those "either you love him or hate him" composers...no middle...sadly.

How one can hate Brahms is beyond my comprehension, but I'm sure you feel similarly.

16 minutes ago, SebastianViola said:

How one can hate Brahms is beyond my comprehension, but I'm sure you feel similarly.

 

I personally don't like Brahms as much, but I certainly don't hate him. I only hate composers I can get 0 joy out of playing or listening to them, and Brahms is definitely not one of those composers.

53 minutes ago, SebastianViola said:

How one can hate Brahms is beyond my comprehension, but I'm sure you feel similarly.

 

I was indifferent to Brahms at first (preferring Wagner). But then I started to play some of his music, especially chamber music and his large works...and then started to study his works. He's one of my favorite composers now.

I am in the group "neither love neither hate Brahms" 

He's surely not among my faves... but will surely grow in me in the future. For now, I prefer Max Reger

I'm in the group "Brahms is like Australia: we all know it's there, and there must be some great things to see and do there, but... well... it's Australia". I'm not an expert on symphonic music (I'm basically a pianist) but this theme and treatment brought Dvorzak's 9th finale in mind, I'm not sure why 

The variations are wonderfull though! Great job, and I pressume you did that in a very short time frame.

Bravo! 

Wow, well done! I'm humbled by this entry. The fourth variation was my favorite -- it was heartfelt and elegant, and something about the arrangement reminded me of film music.

Danish, you have most definitely earned a high place in this competition! I haven't listened to all the submissions yet and they're all very good so far, but Noah stole the words right out of my mind. This is humbling to listen to.

As for Brahms, I'm in that group of people that @Dchrisanthako mentioned. I just haven't gotten that familiar with most of Brahms' music. Kinda like how I haven't been to Australia.

This is an incredible work! Hats off.