Brahms's "first maturity" consists of the period up to 1865. Influence of Schubert is evident in Brahms's sonata form, particularly in the juxtaposition of major and minor tonalities, closed forms with lyrical melodies, double second themes, structural use of remote keys, and the transformation of these elements in the recapitulation. Webster is able to relate at least one or two works by Schubert to each early work of Brahms mentioned in this article. Some of the comparisons are general and can be interpreted as stylistic tendencies of the time, rather than specific characteristics of Schubert, but some direct quotations are used and discussed as well.

Works: Beethoven: Sonata Appasionata (58, 68), Symphony No. 2; Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 5 (68), Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34 (52, 53, 65-69), String Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18 (52), Piano Quartet in G Minor, Op. 25 (52, 62-65), Piano Concerto in D Minor, Op. 15 (53), Piano Sonata, Op. 1 (58), Trio in B Major, Op. 8 (58, 59), Serenade in D Major, Op. 11 (54, 59-60), Serenade in A Major, Op. 16 (54, 59-60), Sextet in B-flat Major, Op. 18 (61), Piano Quartet in A Major, Op. 26 (62), Sextet in G Major (68-70), Cello Sonata in E Minor (68-69), Horn Trio (68), Symphony No. 3 (70), Tragic Overture (70), Symphony No. 2 (70), Academic Festival Overture (70), Cello Sonata in F Major, Op. 99 (70), Clarinet Trio (70), Clarinet Sonata in F Major, Op. 120, No. 1 (70); Schubert: Wanderer Fantasy (58), Am Meer (58), Die Stadt.

Index Classifications: 1800s

Contributed by: Paula Ring Zerkle