Johannes Brahms established himself as more than capable composer of piano music at the very beginning of his career. After all, he was an accomplished pianist in his own right. His three piano sonatas (op. 1, 2 and 5) earn Brahms a significant spot in the history of piano music. However, along side the three sonatas is also the op. 4 Scherzo in E flat minor.
The Scherzo was composed in 1851 and is his actually Brahms’ earliest surviving original work, although it was published until three years later. Brahms developed an earliest mastery of the scherzo form. This is possibly likely due to Brahms’ interest in the Classical tradition as the scherzo was developed into its known form at the hands of Beethoven. Evident even in this earliest scherzo is Brahms’ already keen sense for rhythmic development and symphonic thinking in terms of structure. In addition to Brahms’ keen sense of rhythm is the motivic unity of the work. No doubt, the op. 4 Scherzo and the three piano sonatas were the signs of an already remarkably developed musical mind.
The form of the op. 4 Scherzo is that of a rondo, the typical A-B-A form being expanded by the addition of a second trio, thus, A-B-A-C-A, and ultimately closing with a developing coda. The scherzo sections are characterized by an unremitting rhythmic drive that has been described as “demonic.” Despite the Classical influence, the inner character of the op. 4 Scherzo is wholly Romantic. Malcolm McDonald remarked the Scherzo’s “whiffs of Hoffmannesque devilry,” and its “reminiscence of Heinrich Marschner’s ‘troll opera’ Hans Heiling.” In fact, Franz Liszt, one of the leading figures of the New German School of composers, even found the Scherzo appealing. Yet the Classical influence is undeniable. The rhythmic working of the piece wholly suggests the influence of Beethoven than any of Brahms’ contemporaries. In fact, it seems the only contemporary of Brahms that was also influenced by this aspect of Beethoven’s writing at the time was Charles Valentin-Alkan.
Ultimately, the op. 4 Scherzo is a remarkable work to be written a composer of such a young age. Brahms was only 18 years-old when he composed it.
