Fantasies op. 116

• Scholarly-critical Urtext edition for performers
• Reliable musical text incorporating all available sources
• Spacious layout on the page with practical page turns
• Added fingering
• Informative bilingual introduction (Eng/Ger)

Composed in 1892-93, Brahms piano pieces op. 116 to 119 are the last collections that he wrote for the instrument. Particularly noteworthy is his use of 'small forms' accompanied by a further increase in musical expression compared to his earlier works. In November 1892 Clara Schumann, probably the secret dedicatee of these pieces, confided to her diary that they were 'a true source of enjoyment, everything, poetry, passion, rapture, intimacy, full of the most marvellous effects [...]. In these pieces I at last feel musical life re-enter my soul, and I play once more with true devotion.'

The Fantasies, op. 116, were composed in the Austrian resort of Bad Ischl in summer 1892. Clara described them ecstatically as 'wonderfully original piano pieces', four 'dreamlike' intermezzos and three 'deeply passionate' capriccios. The former are moderately difficult to play, while the capriccios require considerable virtuosity.