Johannes Brahms Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Eight Pieces, Op. 76: No. 2, CapriccioJohannes Brahms36rank/position

Brahms, Johannes: 8 Stücke No.2 “Capriccio” h-moll,Op.76-2 Pf. Alexander Jenner

Brahms composed Eight Pieces in the summer of 1878.

The second piece is characterized by its lively, energetic staccato.

Positioned during his transition to a late style, it lets us sense his music evolving in a new direction.

The theme, marked by accents on the left hand’s weak beats, is striking, and a light, buoyant rhythm is maintained throughout.

In the middle section, a gentle melody appears, bringing contrast to the character of the piece.

Combining introspective beauty with vitality, it is a captivating work and recommended for piano students as well.

8 Pieces, Op. 76: No. 4, Intermezzo in B-flat majorJohannes Brahms37rank/position

Brahms: Capriccio in B flat major Op. 76 No 4 – Stephen Bishop Kovacevich, 1982 – Philips 411

Brahms’s set of piano pieces, Eight Pieces.

Among them, No.

4 is written in the warm key of B-flat major and is characterized by a gentle, delicate mood.

Though concise, it features a melody of depth supported by Brahms’s characteristically rich harmonies.

Since its publication in 1878, it has been highly regarded as emblematic of his late musical style.

Despite its brief duration of about two and a half minutes, it condenses subtle emotional expression into a compact form.

Highly recommended for those who want to fully savor the charm of Romantic music.

8 Pieces, Op. 76 No. 6: Intermezzo in A majorJohannes Brahms38rank/position

Gila Goldstein plays Brahms Intermezzo op. 76/6

No.

6 from Brahms’s Eight Pieces, composed in 1878.

It has a gentle, lyrical character, marked by a beautifully balanced and harmonious melody.

The mood is calm and elegant, with a performance time of about four minutes.

Despite its simple, approachable tune, it possesses deep emotion and a refined structure, exploring an inner stillness and a reflective atmosphere in particular.

Recommended for those who wish to experience a work that quietly reveals Brahms’s inner world.

8 Pieces, Op. 76: No. 7, Intermezzo in A MinorJohannes Brahms39rank/position

Brahms – Intermezzo a-moll op. 76, Nr. 7 (E. Kissin) (2001)

Brahms’s Eight Pieces, composed in 1878, are introspective works that offer a glimpse into the onset of his mature period.

Among them, No.

7 is relatively easy to play compared to many of his pieces.

Written in 2/2 time and marked “gently, simply,” it is performed with a calm, unadorned character.

The same theme appears at the beginning and the end, while the middle section introduces a striking figuration, creating a symmetrical structure that still conveys shifting emotions.

A dark, introspective atmosphere pervades the piece, evoking deep sorrow and loneliness, yet within it one can also sense quiet and repose.

Set in A minor with no key signature, it’s a great recommendation for those who find key signatures challenging but still want to learn to play something.

LullabyJohannes Brahms40rank/position

Johannes Brahms – Lullaby

Brahms’s classic lullaby.

Many people may have heard not only the original but also arranged versions.

It seems there are versions with Japanese lyrics that are sung, but using classical music as background music and letting it play as a lullaby might also feel elegant and nice.

Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No. 2, from “Six Pieces”Johannes Brahms41rank/position

Brahms: Intermezzo in A major, Op. 118 No. 2 (Kazumasa Matsumoto)

Piano Pieces, Op.

118, composed in Brahms’s late years.

One of the pieces is dedicated to Clara Schumann, his close friend and a gifted pianist.

This work is characterized by a gentle tone full of kindness and affection.

It follows a three-part structure: a first section with a beautiful, recurring melody; a middle section that modulates to the minor and incorporates chorale-like elements; and a return to the opening melody.

Completed in 1893, the piece embodies Brahms’s mature musicianship and profound emotional expression, conveying his deep admiration for Clara.

Composed in a quiet summer retreat, the setting may also have influenced the work’s introspective character.

Capriccio, Op. 76 No. 1Johannes Brahms42rank/position

Ivo Pogorelich Plays Brahms Capriccio Op.76 No.2. lo-fi

This is Capriccio No.

2 by Brahms, one of the German Three Bs.

Ivo Pogorelić is a pianist from Belgrade, in the former Yugoslavia.

Known as a “heretic,” he has a variety of legendary episodes, and that iconoclasm is evident in his performances as well—unconventional interpretations that reveal new facets of the music.