The Sonata in G major owes its epithet “Rain Song Sonata” to two melodies from Brahms’ “Rain Songs” op. 59 nos. 3 and 4 which are quoted at the beginning of the last movement. An ornamental leaf with the first 24 bars of the “Adagio” was recently re-discovered and has been reproduced as a facsimile in this edition. It shows the connection between the work and Clara Schumann and her youngest son.

Felix, Brahms’ godson and a talented violinist, was seriously ill and died before the work was com...