Brahms: Sonata for violoncello and piano - op. 38

in E minor

The sonata op. 38 Brahms wrote during the summer months of 1862 and 1865 is part of every cellist's standard repertory. The piece is "a greeting to J.S. Bach". In the first movement, Brahms copied the counterpoint 4 from the "Art of the Fugue" in the main motif, as well as counterpoint 13 in the motif of the fugue in the finale. Offered to publishers Breitkopf & Härtel with the composer's comment that it was "quite easy to play for both instruments", it is possible for advanced amateur musicians to perform the sonata - in contrast to its counterpart in F-Major.