Johannes Brahms

Hungarian Dance No. 8, WoO 1

Originally written for piano four hands in 1879, Hungarian Dances (WoO 1), a set of 21 lively dance tunes mostly based on Hungarian themes, are among Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) most popular works today. They have been arranged for many different instruments and ensembles over the years. In 1850, Brahms was introduced to "gypsy-style" music through Hungarian violinist Ede Reményi, including the csárdás "Bártfai emlék" (Memories of Bártfa) by Hungarian composer Béla Kéler, which became the basis for Hungarian Dance No. 5. Hungarian Dance No. 8 in A Minor, here orchestrated by Sam Dennison, invites comparison with the celebrated fifth dance and features lilting dotted rhythms and sudden key changes. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(1): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).