Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Help! Brahms 118 No.3

Measure 15. The left hand has 5 beats. I'm sure it doesn't really have 5 beats, but I can't figure out where I'm supposed to play the notes that add up to 5. (or 2.5) I have the Henle Verlag edition

Jodi

It's alla breve, so there are only 2 half-note beats per measure. The first quarter note is the octave e-flats, the second quarter is the g and b-flat eighth followed by the octave a-flats, and similarly for the next 3 beats.

Looking at it, I can understand your confusion. It's lousy engraving. The Mandyczewski edition from Schirmer, Dover, or Breitkopf is not nearly as cramped, and much easier to read. The Schirmer has corrections which makes it preferable.

I see it now - it's so scrunched together, that I didn't notice that the second and fifth set of notes on the bass cleff are attached to the notes in the right hand, and are eighth notes, NOT quarter notes. What a dope I am. :rolleyes:

Thanks anyway! Jodi