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Masterclass: Brahms Cello Sonata no.1 in E minor op.38, third movement

2025-12-12T09:32:08.033

SM Matthew Johnson Photographer

This fugal final movement requires elements of restraint where climaxes must be managed carefully, says cellist Steffan Morris

In the context of this whole sonata, it’s worth remembering that this movement follows the melancholic, contemplative first movement and the dance-like second movement. There was also originally a slow movement which Brahms most likely discarded. This third movement quotes and slightly modifies one of the contrapuncti from Bach’s The Art of Fugue. This fugue idea informs the whole movement while also having strong elements of sonata form. It’s very dramatic, but with elements of restraint. This Baroque counterpoint idea gives a feeling of tension and rhythmic drive with very quick transitions to new themes and subjects, the build-ups to which need to be managed very carefully…

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