Talk:Rhapsodies, Op. 79 (Brahms)

Each of the two Rhapsodies is structured like a miniature sonata and consists of a slow central section enclosed between two faster outer sections.

This is true only of the first one. The second is a more straightforward sonata form with no sectional tempo changes. (There are a few ritardandos and the like). Kostaki mou (talk) 23:18, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

At the suggestion of the dedicatee, Brahms reluctantly renamed the sophisticated compositions from klavierstücke (piano pieces) to rhapsodies.

This does not appear to be true from the original correspondance available on Google books. The Rhaspsodien name comes from Brahms. Elizabet comments that the pieces are too structured for Rhapsodies and that she prefers Klaverstucke. However she goes on to say that as names are applied so loosely these days, Rhapsodies would be as good a name as any. She is certainly not forcing the name upon Brahms.

See Pages 98 99

http://books.google.com/books?id=7bLv8gL5bEYC&pg=PR13&dq=herzogenberg&hl=en&ei=oncXTO-vLYmWsQaC663TCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

- Fascinating book. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.42.187.66 (talk) 13:03, 15 June 2010 (UTC)