In his later period, Johannes Brahms wrote a number of miniature piano pieces: Eight Pieces, op. 76 (1871-1878), Two Rhapsodies, op. 79 (1879), four collections, op. 116, 117, 118, 119 (1892-93). It is only the composer's feelings and emotions that unite the pieces in each group. Formally, there is little or no connection. Likewise, the arrangemnt under different headings matters little, for each piece is a sort of entry from his diary, a key to his mood. They describe various nuances of his lyricism: Intermezzo expresses a quiet and thoughtful mood while Capriccio describes more vigorous emotions. Each piece is a lyric masterpiece. A music critic wrote: ''In his later works, Brahms reached the acme of his composition for the piano. His way of development took him from large-scale works to small-scale pieces, from grand frescoes to exquisite miniatures, from width to depth''.
Contents:
Eight Pieces, op. 76
1. Capriccio fis-moll
2. Capriccio h-moll
3. Intermezzo A s-dur
4. Intermezzo B-dur
5. Capriccio cis-moll
6. Intermezzo A-du
7. Intermezzo a-moll
8. Capriccio C-dur
Two Rhapsodies, op. 79
1. Rhapsody h-moll
2. Rhapsody g-moll