The entire work is unified by the first movement, which serves as its basic motto.

Second Movement: Andante espressivo, in ternary form. A-flat major, 2/4 time.

Brahms prefaced this Second Movement with a passage from the poet Sternau's poem "Young Love." The general meaning is as follows:

"Twilight approaches, and the moon shines brightly

There two hearts, bound by love,

Lean on each other and embrace."

This movement was sometimes performed independently.

The flowing melody of the Andante molto's concluding section is said to have been later appropriated by Wagner for Hans Sachs's song in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg."