Concerto in B-Flat Major for the Piano, Op. 83 (as Edited by Hughes): Two-Piano Score.

New York, NY G. Schirmer, 1922. Paperback Near Fine in Wraps: shows only the most minute indications of use: just a hint of wear to extremities; a very small smudge at the lower front panel. Binding square and secure; text clean. Very close to 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. Folio. 123pp. (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, No. 1465). Paperback. The Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 by Johannes Brahms is separated by a gap of 22 years from his first piano concerto. Brahms began work on the piece in 1878 and completed it in 1881 while in Pressbaum near Vienna. It is dedicated to his teacher, Eduard Marxsen. The premiere of the concerto was given in Budapest on November 9, 1881, with Brahms as soloist, and was an immediate success. He proceeded to perform the piece in many cities across Europe. The piece was originally scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (B-flat), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (initially 2 in B-flat bass, 2 in F), 2 trumpets (B-flat), timpani (B-flat and F), and strings. (The trumpets and timpani are used only in the first two movements, which is unusual). The piece is in four movements, rather than the three typical of concertos in the Classical and Romantic periods: Allegro non troppo (B-flat major); Allegro appassionato (D minor); Andante (B-flat major); Allegretto grazioso (B-flat major). The additional movement results in a concerto considerably longer than most other concertos written up to that time, with typical performances lasting around 50 minutes. Upon its completion, Brahms sent its score to his friend, the surgeon and violinist Theodor Billroth to whom Brahms had dedicated his first two string quartets, describing the work as "some little piano pieces." Brahms even described the stormy scherzo as a "little wisp of a scherzo".