In 2007, at the request of Gerard Schwarz, I made an orchestral version of Intermezzo Op.118, No.2 for Piano by Johannes Brahms for Echoes—Classical Works Transformed, a recording Maestro Schwarz initiated with the Seattle Symphony as part of Hearmusic—the Sound of Starbucks project. And I titled it Black Swan. Since then, it has been my desire also to make an orchestral version of Intermezzo Op. 118, No.1, as musically No.1 is a perfect set-up for No.2. Now I consider these two a set of two movements, although it is possible to perform them as separate works.

It is my wish that I will be able to orchestrate more of Op. 118, Brahms’ master works from his late period.