use of linkage technique in johannes brahms’ op. 78 and leopoldo miguéz’s op.14 violin sonatas

This paper specifically addresses linkage, a characteristically Brahmsian technique employed in the formation of musical ideas through the gradual transformation of precedent elements, being considered an indicator in the use of developing variation. After a detailed review of the literature encompassing definitions, classification and exemplification considering works of three theorists (FRISCH, 1984. SMITH, 2007. RAHN, 2015), an original proposal for a typology of linkage is presented. We compare a special occurrence of linkage in Brahms’ Violin Sonata, op. 78 to two similar occurrences in Leopoldo Miguéz’s sonata op. 14, a work of the same genre.. The results reinforce the hypothesis that Miguéz had employed organic constructive processes in his piece.