Sonatas No. 1 & 2, Scherzo Op. 4

1. I. Allegro non troppo, ma energico
2. II. Andante con espressione
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro - Trio
4. IV. Finale. Introduzione - Allegro non troppo e rubato
5. Scherzo in E-Flat Minor, Op. 4
6. I. Allegro
7. II. Andante (nach einem altdeutschen Minnelied)
8. III. Scherzo. Allegro molto e con fuoco
9. IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco

Johannes Brahms was just 19 years old in 1852-53 when he wrote the first two piano sonatas he deemed worthy of publication. In these extended four-movement compositions he built on the heritage of Beethoven. The fact that Brahms had produced a pair of masterpieces was immediately recognised by his mentor Robert Schumann, who eased his young colleague’s way into the future with his celebrated article ‘New Paths’ of 1853.