Overall, a bit better week.

The Brahms Rhapsodie Op 119 no 4 still has me stumped. It seems to me he changes register and inverts chords just for the sake of it. I'm sure it isn't just for the sake of it but at present I don't see the rhyme or the reason. Perhaps the answer is in the definition.

Rhapsody:

1. an enthusiastic...

(Wow, "rhabdomancy": the use of a diving rod. Didn't know that one. Too long for scrabble though.)

...or extravagant utterance or composition. Well, that's right: it is that.

2. a piece of music in one extended movement, usually emotional in character. I'll give it that too but it doesn't say anything about the tearing out of the hair.

Brahms and I shall battle on.