Hungarian Dance No. 8, WoO 1 [Alf:36-A505101]

Originally written for piano four hands in 1879, Hungarian Dances (WoO 1), a set of 21 lively dance tunes mostly based on Hungarian themes, are among Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) most popular works today. They have been arranged for many different instruments and ensembles over the years. In 1850, Brahms was introduced to "gypsy-style" music through Hungarian violinist Ede Remİnyi, including the csĦrdĦs "BĦrtfai emlİk" (Memories of BĦrtfa) by Hungarian composer Bİla Kİler, which became the basis for Hungarian Dance No. 5. Hungarian Dance No. 8 in A Minor, here orchestrated by Sam Dennison, invites comparison with the celebrated fifth dance and features lilting dotted rhythms and sudden key changes. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(1): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).