[citation needed] The sonata is dedicated to Brahms' friend and colleague Hans von Bülow and was premiered in Budapest in 1888,[1] with Jenő Hubay on violin and the composer at the piano.

Next comes the development section: the violin plays a variant of the first subject elaborated with bariolage bowing, while the piano again provides the accompaniment in the right hand.

After the final cadence of the subject, three sudden unison chords announce, subito forte, an unexpected direct modulation into F♯ minor.

In the ensuing section, of virtuosic and symphonic character, violin and piano toss back and forth fragments of the original theme.

Following a brief interlude the melody is stated again an octave higher and with a somewhat less restrained character—it bears the characteristic Brahmsian marking poco forte (literally "a bit loud".)

This time the modulation takes a different turn and the climactic theme is stated a fourth higher than before, in C Lydian dominant.

The piano states the main theme, a stammering, uneasy scherzando in F♯ minor, with the violin providing a simple accompaniment on off-beats, interspersed with brief melodic fragments.

The violin then interrupts the proceedings and comes fully into the spotlight with an impassioned, rhapsodic outburst elaborated by virtuosic arpeggios, which ends with a forceful series of chords.

The second part of the first subject is a nervous, stammering series of melodic fragments, full of sharp dynamic contrasts.

The violin then plays the melody and the piano adds some syncopated rhythms to the accompaniment, bringing back an echo of the movement's overall agitated character.