These are rather short pieces. Bahms named most of them simply INTERMEZZO. Even as an amateur pianist, it is possible to study these last works of the great Master.
Reward is learning a lot: about music, about life . . .
The end of Intermezzo 117/2 is very sad.
The upper voices (in the right hand) want to tell us, what could be nice, even in the final phase of our life.
In the left hand a pedal point is repeating a relentless NO!
Eventually the melody voices concede.
Intermezzo 118/4 is driven by unrest, very agitated. Sophisticated composition technique with polyphonic voices (canon).
No resignation as in 117 / 2. At the end, an unexpected radient F major. However, it is not really cheerful!
