Transcribed by Carlo Marchione.
A lullaby of grief — intimate, restrained, and devastating in its tenderness.
The three Intermezzi, Op. 117, belong to Brahms’ late piano works. Speaking to a friend, he referred to them as his “three lullabies of my grief.” The first of these unfolds as a meditation on maternal sorrow, inspired by a Scottish folk lullaby whose text reads:
“Sleep gently, my child, sleep gently and beautifully.
It pains me deeply to see you cry.”
Here, grief is not theatrical. It is inward, dignified, and almost unbearably sweet. The outer sections hover in fragile serenity, while the central episode darkens the landscape with dissonant harmonies and quiet unrest. The contrast is subtle, yet profound.
This is Brahms at his most intimate — music that lingers long after the final resonance fades.
Intermezzo, Op. 117 No. 1 by J.Brahms
This transcription reimagines the work in the luminous key of G major, departing from the original tonality in order to explore the natural resonance of the classical guitar.
Through the use of open scordatura, the arrangement achieves exceptional spatial depth and color. The sustained sonorities allow the lullaby character to breathe freely, while careful voicing preserves the density of Brahms’ harmonic writing.
This edition prioritizes tonal control, balance, and expressive restraint over surface brilliance. It is intended for players who seek depth of sound rather than display.
