Instrument: brass tentet (score and parts)
Grade: conservatoire
Catalogue No: AL003
In December 1890, a world-weary Brahms sent his publisher a note: "You can now take leave of my music: it's high time I stopped". It was not to be, since in 1891 he heard the clarinetist, Richard Mühlfield and was inspired to write the A minor Trio and B minor Quintet for him to play. These were in turn followed by a series of piano pieces published in four sets as Op. 116, 117, 118 and 119.
The Rhapsody in Eb is the most substantial work in Op. 119, almost of symphonic stature rather than an occasional piece. It has a schizophrenic nature, beginning assertively in the major and then moving constantly in and out of the minor key. After the final statement of the principal theme there is a reverse 'tièrce de Picardie' whereafter the coda begins surprisingly in the minor: there it stubbornly stays and defiantly ends, a reversal of the usual musical scheme. The quavers/8th-notes of the opening bars need an almost 'held-back' quality to give them the musical weight they require and the later triplet figures must be fully sustained, though with a forward-moving impetus.
This arrangement is an ideal companion to the other two Op. 119 works published by ALAW.
