This piece was published in 1871 and believed to date to around 1868. Yet stylistically, it might well be placed in the previous century to the time of Gluck and his opera, Iphigénie en Aulide (1772—1774), upon whose Gavotte theme the work is based. This is a delightful piece by Brahms—graceful, witty, and cleverly deferential to the style of Gluck's charming music. But of course, there is also a good measure of Brahms' own charm at work here, as well. The piece opens with Gluck's theme, an arch-shaped, playful creation whose joyous manner is enhanced by three arpeggiated chords that punctuate the ends of phrases. In the outer sections of the work, in fact, these three chords appear throughout with a strum-like effect. The middle section is delicate and sparsely written by Brahms, the music having a jaunty character not far removed stylistically from some of the piano works of Mozart. The main theme returns to close out the piece, never veering away from its joyous mood. This charming Gavotte typically has a duration of three-and-a-half minutes.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.