The first and second movements were composed in April 1852, and the third and fourth movements in the spring of 1853, all in Hamburg.

This sonata clearly shows the influence of Beethoven's piano sonatas "Waldstein" and "Hammerklavier". However, it is not unrelated to the programmatic tendencies popular at the time. Dynamic movements and the use of a wide range, which would become characteristic of Brahms's later piano music, are also evident. It is a major work infused with the overflowing passion of the young Brahms, and Brahms himself seems to have been confident in this sonata.

The entire work is unified by the progressive form of the first movement's first theme.

Second Movement

Andante, C minor, 2/4 time. It takes the form of a free set of variations. It is marked "nach einem alten deutschen Minneliede" (after an old German Minnelied), and in the score, the lyrics are appended to the 12-bar melody of the theme. The 49th song of Brahms's later arrangement of 49 German folk songs, "Deutsche Volkslieder", also features these lyrics. The gist of the lyrics is as follows:

• Solo: The moon rises quietly
• Chorus: Blue, blue little flower (referring to the moon)
• Solo: Ascending to heaven, piercing through small silver clouds
• Chorus: Blue, blue little flower
• Roses in the valley, maidens in the hall
• Oh, most beautiful rose in the world

This poem indicates the character of the entire movement and its musical expression.

The movement features three variations following the theme, and it leads directly into the next movement without a break.