This piece is an arrangement for solo piano, made by the composer himself in 1860, of the second movement from Johannes Brahms's String Sextet No. 1 (in four movements). This work was dedicated to Clara Schumann, the former wife of Robert Schumann. Brahms presented this piece to Clara on September 13, 1860, as a commemoration of her 41st birthday. It was premiered in Frankfurt on October 31, 1865.

The work consists of a theme and six variations. It begins energetically with a theme that exhibits both Beethovenian and folk-like characteristics. In the first variation, the theme is fragmented into sixteenth notes; in the second variation, the motion becomes more animated; and in the third variation, it reaches a climax. The fourth variation transitions from D minor to D major, becoming suddenly tranquil. In the fifth variation, while diverging from the theme, it retains a subtle vestige of its original character. The sixth variation returns to D minor, and the theme's melody is precisely recapitulated. However, its conclusion differs from the opening, ending quietly.