'Heartiest farewell meanwhile, dear Albert, to you and your wife.
'Your Johannes.'
'Father,' said Brahms, looking slyly at his father as he said good-bye, 'if things should be going badly with you, music is always the best consolation; go and study my old "Saul"—you will find comfort there.'
He had thickly interlarded the volume with bank-notes.[96]
It is highly interesting to possess a clear conception of Brahms' achievements as a composer, and, therewith, of his exact title to consideration at this important moment of his career. This will be best obtained by a glance at the list of the chief completed works with which he was to present himself in the city associated with the most hallowed memories of his art. His departure for Vienna is by no means to be regarded as coincident with the close of any one period of his creative activity, though it emphatically marks the end, not only of a chapter, but of the first book of his life.
List of Brahms' Chief Completed Works on his Departure for Vienna.
| Pianoforte Solos: | |
| Three Sonatas. Scherzo. Variations on Schumann's theme in F sharp minor. Variations on an original theme. Variations on a Hungarian song. Variations and Fugue on Handel's theme. | |
| Pianoforte Duet: Variations on a theme by Schumann. | |
| Pianoforte with Orchestra: Concerto in D minor. | |
| Orchestral: Two Serenades. | |
| Chamber music: | |
| Sextet in B flat for Strings. Trio in B major for Pianoforte and Strings. Quartet in G minor " " " " Quartet in A major " " " " | |
| Songs: | |
| Five books (thirty songs). 'Magelone Romances' (first six). | |
| Vocal Duets: two books. | |
| Three Vocal Quartets. | |
| Women's Chorus: | |
| 'Ave Maria.' Part-songs. | |
| Mixed Chorus: | |
| Begräbnissgesang. Marienlieder. The 13th Psalm. Motets. Sacred Song. | |
The newly-finished String Quintet is not included in the list, as the work was not published in this its first form. The Hungarian Dances, as being arrangements, are also omitted.