Piano Sonata No. 1 (Brahms)

2 first, but chose this work to be his first published opus because he felt that it was of higher quality.

The piece was sent along with his second sonata to Breitkopf & Härtel with a letter of recommendation from Robert Schumann.

Schumann had already praised Brahms enthusiastically, and the sonata shows signs of an effort to impress in its symphonic grandeur, technical demands, and dramatic character.

[1][2] The second movement is a theme and variations inspired by the song Verstohlen geht der Mond auf.

It is highly technically demanding on the performer, with toccata-like intensity and rapid thirds throughout.