Waltzes op. 39

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).