The Intermezzo op. 118 #2 was written in 1893, towards the end of Brahms life. Along with the other sets of short pieces (op. 116, 117, and 119), these are his final works for the piano.
Behind the somewhat bland titles (Intermezzo, Fantasie, Ballade, Romance, Rhapsody, etc.) we find music of great emotion, introspection and beauty.
Written for Clara Schumann to play in her autumn years these pieces are full of yearning for her and the relationship they might have had. Playing the music without this realization is to deprive the listener of this extra dimension.
Here is the late Radu Lupu to play this music for you:
