Johannes Brahms had written most of his large piano works before 1865 when he composed this set of waltzes for piano duet. They were dedicated to the famous critic and author Eduard Hanslick, who was delighted, as was Peter Simrock, Brahms' publisher, who encouraged the composer to prepare a version for piano solo. Considered by the composer as a closed cycle, these 16 waltzes can be performed as individual pieces or groups.