Hummel's Op. 81: a paradigm for Brahms's Op.2?

This article examines a number of perceived similarities between the thematic material, pianistic writing, harmonic usage and, to a lesser extent, structural procedures of two piano sonatas in the same key of F sharp minor: the Op. 81 (1819) of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) and the better-known Op. 2 (1852) of Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Both composers were prodigious pianists and both were renowned for their improvisational ability. Although there is no documentary evidence of Hummel’s influence on Brahms, it is possible that, given the latter’s exceptional creative energy, his impressionable age (musically speaking) and Hummel’s reputation (even if slightly on the wane at this stage), the older composer’s sonata may well have been the catalyst for that of the younger man’s