Sonata in F minor, Op. 5
1 Allegro maestoso. 2 Andante cspressivo. 3 Scherzo : Allegro energico. 4 Intermezzo (Riickblick): Andante molto. 5 Finale : Allegro moderato ma rubato played by Frank Merrick (pianoforte)
Brahms's Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 5, was completed in 1853 when the composer was twenty years of age. It was one of that group of early works which aroused such great enthusiasm from Schumann on their first meeting.
The F minor Sonata was an extraordinary achievement for so young a composer. Cast on a very ambitious-perhaps too ambitious-scale, the music is full of both passionate intensity and lyrical charm. Its romantic leanings are obvious, particularly in the slow movement which is headed with a verse that may be roughly translated as follows:
The twilight deepens, the moon shines out,
There are two hearts in love entwined
That hold themselves with blessing crowned.