Brahms: The Sextets

On this CD:

1. String Sextet No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Hausmusik London

2. String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Hausmusik London

Brahms: The Sextets, Music, Johannes Brahms, Hausmusik London, Chamber, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Sextet for Six String Instruments

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets
Average customer rating:

Very Good, but beware technical problems

This is how all Brahms should be played!

Mastery and joy

9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN!

Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry

Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets
Karl Leister , Johannes Brahms , Christoph Eschenbach , Cecil Aronowitz , Norbert Brainin , Siegmund Nissel , and Amadeus Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008RWRG
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

Very Good, but beware technical problems.......2007-05-26

Overall, I really enjoy these pieces. The playing is good, and the sound is quite live, which I enjoy. My favorite piece is the Quintet in G Major Op.111, though the sextet in Bb is a close second. I am a perfectionist, and my familiarity with these pieces led me to be a little dissapointed, which is why there is only 4 stars. My dissapointment stems from two facts:
1. In the first movement of the Brahms G Major Op.111, the string quintet elects not to take the repeat in m.56, so you will never hear the first ending on this recording and thus only get one shot at the awesome cello opening. I haven't listened closely enough to the other pieces on this set to discern if they avoided other repeats or not, but for the most part, they appear to be there.

2. There are technical printing problems. Though the recording is so live that you can hear the breath of the musicians and their fingers fall on the strings, there are some actual technical pops in the recording. Perhaps it was a transfer problem from analog to digital, as the recordings are old. Most of these pops are minor, but they are dissapointing for an audiophile such as myself. My CDs are pristine (no scratches at all), and even the first time playing them these pops were there. So, here's the list of what I've found thus far:

CD 3:
Track 6: Pops & clicks at 1:19 & 1:22.

CD 5:
Track 1: Pops at 6:01.
Track 2: Pops & clicks at 0:13, 3:56, & 6:16.
Track 5: Pop at 12:07.
Track 7: Pop & clicks at 6:11, 7:45, 7:51-7:52 (these are quite noticable), 7:59, 8:03, 8:11.
Track 8: Pop at 7:34.

It is a well-played set; hopefully they will get the printing correct on the next batch.

This is how all Brahms should be played!.......2007-02-14

There isn't much to say about this set, but I'll say what there is to say: These players play the Brahms chamber music here with such emotion, musical understanding, and overall perfection that this set should be made into a must for all Brahms chamber music lovers. The Amadeus quartet, along with all of the other performers, including Eschenbach on the piano and Leister on the clarinet, really know what they're doing and play it so beautifully that the listener will want to hear the pieces again and again until the CD player is practically worn out. These Brahms works are some of the most sublime works of the later 19th century. For such quality music and great sound, especially for having been recorded in the 1960's, the price is also great. I recommend this set very highly, and hope you decide to get and enjoy it as much as I do.

Mastery and joy.......2006-12-12

Because they lasted such a long time and toward the end didn't play at their best, I found reasons to overlook the Madeus Qt. But in this 9-CD set of the complete chamber music of Brahms, there are some sublime performances--I would especially point to both String Sextets, for example. In every instance the style of the Amadeus is full of vibrancy and joy, and their ensemble isn't baased on technical perfection but rather a kinship of musical taste and feeling (this puts them poles apart from the Emerson Qt., for me at least). I also love the Brahms chamber performances on Sony with Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, emanuel Ax, and friends, but this DG set is altogether sweeter and more lyrical.

Since Amazon neglects to list the additional players who join the Amadeus for the works that aren't soely for a string quartet, here's the run-down from Tower:

1. Quartet for Strings no 1 in C minor, Op. 51 no 1
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

2. Quartet for Strings no 2 in A minor, Op. 51 no 2
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

3. Quartet for Strings no 3 in B flat major, Op. 67
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet

4. Quintet for Piano and Strings in F minor, Op. 34
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Eschenbach, Christoph

5. Quintet for Strings no 1 in F major, Op. 88
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

6. Quintet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 111
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil

7. Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano in A minor, Op. 114
Performer: Leister, Karl; Eschenbach, Christoph; Donderer, Georg

8. Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B minor, Op. 115
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Leister, Karl

9. Sextet for Strings no 1 in B flat major, Op. 18
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

10. Sextet for Strings no 2 in G major, Op. 36
Ensemble: Amadeus String Quartet
Performer: Aronowitz, Cecil; Pleeth, William

9 CDs with THE AMADEUS: WHAT A BARGAN!.......2005-10-04

This is a really nice set at a bargan price.

Exquisite music performed with exquisite artistry.......2005-05-20

All the passion, majesty, pathos, and soul of his symphonies is in these 10 works of chamber music by Brahms:

3 string quartets;
2 string quintets;
2 string sextets;
a quintet for piano, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello;
a trio for piano, clarinet, and violoncello;
and a quintet for clarinet, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello.

All this wealth of extraordinary music is in a 5 CD set, performed by one of the finest chamber music ensembles in the world, with the added artistry of Christoph Eschenbach (piano), Cecil Aronowitz (viola), and Karl Leister (clarinet).

One CD is 50' 36 in length, 2 are in the low 60's, and 2 are in the low 70's.

I have an inexpensive CD player, but this music emerges from it with the sharpness of etched glass, the smoothness of warmed honey, and the softness of rivers of silver in moonlight.

This is music to celebrate the joy and the pathos of life, played with soul, sensitivity, and power. Buy it and treasure this gift to yourself.

Average customer rating:

Brahms: String Sextets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005RHIA
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Str Sxt No.1 in B flat, Op.18: I. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Str Sxt No.1 in B flat, Op.18: II. Andante, Ma Moderato
Str Sxt No.1 in B flat, Op.18: III. Scherzo (Allegro Molto) & Trio (Animato)
Str Sxt No.1 in B flat, Op.18: IV. Rondo (Poco Allegretto E Grazioso)
Str Sxt No.2 in G, Op.36: I. Allegro Non Troppo
Str Sxt No.2 in G, Op.36: II. Scherzo (Allegro Non Troppo - Presto Giocoso)
Str Sxt No.2 in G, Op.36: III. Poco Adagio
Str Sxt No.2 in G, Op.36: IV. Poco Allegro

Average customer rating:

two sublime sextets

Brahms: String Sextets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000000ARG
Release Date: 1993-10-20

Tracks:

String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: l. Allegro ma non troppo
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: ll. Andente, ma moderato
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: lll. Scherzo, allegro molto - Trio. Animato
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: lV. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: l. Allegro non troppo
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: ll. Scherzo. allegro non troppo - presto giocoso - tempo primo
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: lll. Adagio
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: lV. Poco allegro

Customer Reviews:

two sublime sextets.......2000-04-28

I have heard many recordings of the Brahms string sextets, and this is by far the best interpretation I have encountered. Brahms's signature sound -- lyrical, masculine, Germanic, unique -- infuses every phrase. Tempo and dynamics are exceptional, as is the always-important sense that we are listening to a single performer. This is harder to achieve with a sextet than with a quartet, but the players sound like one.

Brahms: String Sextets, Opp. 18 & 36; Theme and Variations for Piano

Average customer rating:

Bad surprise!
listen but don't stop here
Brahms Sextets
Brilliant, Beautiful Brahms

Brahms: String Sextets, Opp. 18 & 36; Theme and Variations for Piano

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000026ZQ
Release Date: 1992-06-16

Tracks:

String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op.18: I. Allegro ma non troppo - Johannes Brahms
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op.18: II. Andante, ma moderato - Johannes Brahms
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op.18: III. Scherzo. Allegro molto - Trio. Animato - Johannes Brahms
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op.18: IV. Rondo. Poco Allegretto e grazioso - Johannes Brahms
Arrangement Of The 2nd Movement From The String Sextet Op.18: Theme & Variations For Piano: Andante, ma moderato - Johannes Brahms

Tracks:

String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: I. Allegro non troppo - J. Brahms
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: II. Scherzo. Allegro non troppo - Trio. Presto giocoso - J. Brahms
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: III. Poco Adagio - J. Brahms
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: IV. Poco Allegro - J. Brahms

Customer Reviews:

Bad surprise!.......2005-02-22

When I purchased this CD, I was expecting something as perfect as the series of Brhams piano trios and quartets which are articulated around Isaac Stern (also at Sony). What a disapointment! The op 18 seems stretched to unbearable lengths, due to the used of extremly slow tempi. The allegro is not even moderato, the animato section (second theme of the cello, eg) is not animated... and so on. After 10 minutes of that, I was bored! Yes, the sound is beautiful, each line is well articulated, but it seemed to me this has nothing to do with the romantic and energetic work of a 25 year old Brahms! The syncopated rythm, which imparts the "swingy" feeling, was purposefully mollified. Same feeling with the third and fourth movement which is not at all grazioso... but sinister.
I found the opus 36 somewhat more pleasing, using more conventional tempi (yet still on the slow side), and with a gem : the third movement. There, the introverted, "aging" sound of Isaac Stern is perfectly complemented by all the others. It could drive you to tears.

listen but don't stop here.......2002-12-07

These discs are quite satisfying; if the rating system here ranged from one to ten stars, I'd give them a seven. They belong in any collection of chamber music.

If you like these pieces, listen both to these readings and to those of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, on Chandos. Ma, Stern, and company give very American readings where the St. Martin ensemble's seem to me very British: the former being large, enthusiastic, robust, where the latter are more about understatement, balance, refinement. Both approaches work well, though I'd give the St. Martin disc eight stars to the seven here.

Brahms Sextets.......2002-04-25

This is the most outstanding recording of Brahms Sextets ever produced.It is superb in texture and clarity. The artists gathered here are, needless to say, the very best. The variations movement is superb. ... I highly recommend this recording.

Brilliant, Beautiful Brahms.......2000-12-11

This two-disc set of the Brahms String Sextets brilliantly captures these beautiful chamber works. This digital recording from 1989 features the sextet of Yo-Yo Ma and Sharon Robinson on cellos, Isaac Stern and Cho-Liang Lin on violins, and Jaime Laredo and Michael Tree on violas. This Grammy-Winning CD helped to further popularize these chamber pieces, which were among the first of their genre when written in the 1860s. As Klaus Hafner states in his liner notes, "The self-assured, confident form of...[the] String Sextets...almost makes us forget that the composer was actually breaking new ground in chamber music...." And what makes this performance equally groundbreaking and remarkable is that the Ma/Stern/Laredo/etc group play with the same self-assurance and confidence. From the sublime opening measures of Op. 18, you know you are in for a treat. I have not heard other performances of these pieces, but I don't need to -- I can hardly imagine a better recording.

The only drawback to this title is that it is too short. The two Sextets combine for approximately 80 minutes, which is just barely too long for one CD. As a result, a 1991 recording of "Theme and Variations for Piano" (which is an arrangement of the second movement of the first string sextet) by Emanuel Ax is included. It is amazing how the variation for piano conveys a hopeful mood, while the second movement of the string piece has always struck me as maudlin. In any event, this piece is under eleven minutes long, so there is still plenty of room left over for other material to have been included. However, this is a minor shortcoming on what is overall an amazing album.

Brahms: String Sextets Nos. 1 & 2
Average customer rating:

Goodish, and Budget-Priced, but Not Quite Good Enough

Brahms: String Sextets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000013RI
Release Date: 1992-08-04

Tracks:

String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 1. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 2. Andante Ma Moderato
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 3. Scherzo: Allegro Molto
String Sextet No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 4. Rondo: Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: 1. Allegro Non Troppo
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: 2. Scherzo: Allegro Non Troppo
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: 3. Poco Adagio
String Sextet No. 2 In G Major, Op. 36: 4. Poco Allegro

Amazon.com

This is just yummy. Early Brahms is, in some ways, a great deal more fun that his somewhat dour later music--not that there's any real falling off in quality. His later works, though, have a certain austerity completely absent from the hedonistic textural richness of these two string sextets--which is why they have always been among the composer's most popular chamber music pieces. They are also the perfect length to fit nicely onto a single CD, so at budget price and with excellent performances, you can wallow in some of the most luscious string writing this side of Mantovani, and never once regret the investment. What could be better that that? --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Goodish, and Budget-Priced, but Not Quite Good Enough.......2005-02-14

There are many recordings of Brahms's two sextets. They are such favorites of string players that just about any time the appropriate six instruments get together, out comes the Brahms. It is no surprise, then, that this group of which I'd never heard (and about which Naxos doesn't tell us much, even to omitting the names of the individual players) would play and record these gems. The players are clearly very good, and the traversals are clearly well thought out. And there are some felicities worth mentioning. For instance, each of the variations in the second movement of the First Sextet is neatly characterized, possibly as well as I've ever heard. But overall there is rather a bashful quality to the playing, almost as if the players were afraid to dig into their strings. And the entire Second Sextet seems to lose rhythmic point. Listen to the tentative first and third movements of the Op. 36. It's nice, but is it Brahms? It almost sound like they're trying to make him sound like Fauré.

Still, for someone on a tight budget and unfamiliar with these well-beloved works, this might be an option. As for me, I think I'll stick with the performances of the Raphael Ensemble on Hyperion or the St.-Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Players on Chandos.

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

Disappointing performance
Delicately and movingly played
Brahms light
Beautiful!
Gorgeous!

Brahms: String Sextets
Johannes Brahms , Anner Bylsma , and L'Archibudelli
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002BZM
Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Allegro ma non troppo
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Andante ma moderato
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Allegro molto-Trio. Animato
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Poco Allegretto e grazioso
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Allegro non troppo
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Scherzo. Allegro non troppo-(Trio) Presto giocoso
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Adagio
Sextet No.1 In B-flat Major, Op.18: Poco Allegro

Amazon.com

The idea of Brahms on "period instruments" may seem strange, since the instruments of his time were nearly the same as ours. This ensemble, though, has gone far beyond the use of gut strings, to produce a warmer, less brilliant sound than what we have come to expect from modern ensembles. They have investigated the period and have decided to play Brahms faster, and with lighter textures, than we are used to hearing today. - -Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing performance.......2007-05-25

I applaud the L'Archibudelli ensemble's efforts to bring out more clearly the polyphonic interplay of instruments in these sextets -- it's very much in synch with Brahms' way of thinking about music -- and their brisk tempi. Both are admirable ideas.

The problem is that these performances are inexpressive and sometimes plainly unmusical. I'm laying this squarely at the feet of the 1st violinist in the ensemble (who I believe is Vera Beths). Beths (presumably) is a violinist who plays everything pretty much at the same dynamic and projects little expressivity, which is a killer for such beautiful and heartfelt music as these sextets. The opening violin melody in the 1st movement of Op. 36 is simply mangled -- this performance doesn't make sense of it. And the dramatic opening movement of Op. 18 is played with a metronomic, unvarying beat that completely fails to bring out drama that is so important to it. The accents (sforzandi) are underplayed and underemphasized. They make the Allegro into a kind of saccharine muzak.

I want to praise Anner Bylsma, the star 1st cellist in this ensemble. His playing is very powerful and full of the emotion that seems lacking in manyh other passages. As a result, the performance of the Andante variations from the Op. 18 set -- the most famous track on this disc -- is exciting and sweeping, because the 1st cello has such a big role in it.

To better understand why this CD was just so disappointing, I went back to the old Amadeus Quartet version on DG that I have known for years. The Amadues recording is pretty good but not great or even very good but the musicians make sense of the Op. 36 opening -- it's as if L'Archibudelli, in their performance, were trying to speak a foreign language -- and turn it into a memorable theme.

So an unsatisfactory recording. Especially stay away if you are unfamiliar with this music.

Delicately and movingly played.......2004-08-26

These works offer the listener a great chance to get to know some of the earlier compositions of the great Johannes Brahms. Both sextets are played in a fine manner, and the delicate yet emotional performances of L'Archibudelli truly expose the splendor of the pieces, and of the musicians themselves. The group produces stunning accounts of the sextets, both in terms of sound, and freshness of interpretation. I highly recommend this recording to anyone who is looking for an introduction to these classic sextets of Brahms, yet desires an original and fluid interpretation.

Brahms light.......2003-04-09

Sometimes I am a little bit overwhelmed by the thickness of Brahms's music. Four movements is, for me, sometimes a little like eating four courses of an all-fruitcake meal. This is a great recording to get for those who like their musical meals a little less heavy. You can appreciate the brilliance of Brahms's complex layering without being weighted down by two violins, two cellos, and two violas all going in different directions at once. Each time you listen it is if there is something new to hear. I've never heard (and enjoyed hearing) so much detail before.

Although the artists on the recording are of the highest caliber on this recording and their technique is marvelous, occasional intonation inaccuracies are noticeable. I will go out on a limb and attribute this to the "cleaner" style that L'Archibudelli performs with (more "open" sound, less vibrato). Thus, the minor intonation corrections that are obscured as part of a more "traditional" performers' ubiquitous vibrato sound somewhat awkward. I find this distracting in Brahms.

Beautiful!.......2000-09-26

I was surprised at first to see L'Archibudelli had recorded repertoire as late as the Brahms Sextets, but I fell in love with the recording as soon as I heard it. L'Archibudelli gives new life and energy to these chamber pieces: a lighter touch and livelier tempos than the usual rendition of later romantic works. The sextets are simply gorgeous compositions-- some of Brahms's best chamber works. Brahms is able to achieve an orchestral-sized spectrum of textures from the six instruments. I enjoy these especially since they offer a more intimate setting to experience the rich harmonic developments of the late romantics without being overwhelmed by gigantic masses of symphonic sound. The beautiful music married with the perfect sound of L'Archibudelli makes this disk a jewel.

Gorgeous!.......1999-12-15

I prefer this recording to the one headed by Isaac Stern. Why? Because Stern and his team deliver an old-fashioned Brahms, with sluggish tempi, little contrast in articulation, and little feel for the subtleties of Brahms's part-writing. L'Archibudelli deliver the exact opposite. It's a pity that too many people still play Brahms as if his music were a reflection of the typical image of the composer as a fat bearded turd. There's a lot more to Brahms than that, and I'm glad that L'Archibudelli make this a point in their recording of the Sextets. Bravo!

Average customer rating:

I like the sextets
Old wine HAS matured....................
Buy it for Brahms' Clarinet Quintet

Brahms: Quintets/Sextets

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001G8J
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 1. Allegro ma non troppo
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 2. Thema con Variazioni. Andante, ma moderato
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 3. Scherzo. Allegro molto - Trio. Animato
String Sextet In B Flat Major, Op. 18: 4. Rondo. Poco Allegretto e grazioso
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: 1. Allegro non troppo
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: 2. Scherzo. Allegro non troppo - Presto giocoso - Tempo I
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: 3. Poco Allegro
String Sextet In G Major, Op. 36: 4. Poco Allegro

Tracks:

Quintet For Piano, 2 Violins, Viola And Violoncello In F Minor, Op. 34 -: 1. Allegro non troppo - Poco sostenuto - Temp I
Quintet For Piano, 2 Violins, Viola And Violoncello In F Minor, Op. 34 -: 2. Andante, un poco Adagio
Quintet For Piano, 2 Violins, Viola And Violoncello In F Minor, Op. 34 -: 3. Scherzo. Allegro - Trio
Quintet For Piano, 2 Violins, Viola And Violoncello In F Minor, Op. 34 -: 4. Finale. Poco sostenuto - Allegro non troppo- Tempo I - Presto, non troppo
String Quintet In F Major, Op. 88: 1. Allegro non troppo ma con brio
String Quintet In F Major, Op. 88: 2. Grave ed appassionato - Allegretto vivace - Tempo I - Presto
String Quintet In F Major, Op. 88: 3. Fiale. Allegro energico

Tracks:

String Quintet In G Major, Op. 111: 1. Allegro non troppo, ma con brio
String Quintet In G Major, Op. 111: 2. Adagio
String Quintet In G Major, Op. 111: 3. Un poco Allegretto
String Quintet In G Major, Op. 111: 4. Vivace, ma non troppo presto
Quintet For Clarinet, 2 violins, Viola, and Violoncello In B Minor , Op. 115: 1. Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet, 2 violins, Viola, and Violoncello In B Minor , Op. 115: 2. Adagio
Quintet For Clarinet, 2 violins, Viola, and Violoncello In B Minor , Op. 115: 3. Andantino - Presto non assai, ma con sentimento
Quintet For Clarinet, 2 violins, Viola, and Violoncello In B Minor , Op. 115: 4. Con moto

Customer Reviews:

I like the sextets.......2001-11-04

I love the Brahms sextets. Both of them. However, don't write your book review over this recording (you might have a few surprises if you have the score in front of you!) What happened to the expositions?! What happened to a lot of other things...
Where is the old Marlborough Festival recording with (I believe) Casals, Stern, et al?

Old wine HAS matured...........................2000-12-16

I am indeed surprised that there is only one review for such a masterly work. Do not go by the year that it has been perfromed in because it is better than most modern recordings, I agree with the reviewer before me that the clarinet quintet is really good but, i would like to add that so is the other work specially the piano quintet. The recording is crisp and most importantly clear, there is no distortion of any kind. The Amadeus Quartet seems to have only one thing on their mind and that is to deliver a smooth interpretation of the sextets and quintets.

Finally let me put it this way the playing is slow I have to admit, but I prefer to walk with Brahms music than run with it. A little patience on your part will reward you with one of the best chamber music ever.

Buy it for Brahms' Clarinet Quintet.......2000-06-21

After I loved DG's vynil record of Brahms' clarinet quintet, Im glad to have found this performance on this CD.

The quintet is thoughtful. Slow, but very rich. You should concetrate while listening to it, but you'll be rewarded.

Leister's clarinet is rich and emotional. The co-operation between the amadeus quartet and the clarinet is also very good.

Tracks:

I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante, Ma Moderato
III. Scherzo (Allegro Molto And Trio - Animato)
IV. Rondo (Poco Allegretto E Grazioso)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzo (Allegro Non Troppo) - Presto Giocoso - Tempo I
III. Poco Adagio
IV. Poco Allegro

Album Description

These historic performances by the legendary Juilliard String Quartet were recorded live at the Library of Congress in Washington DC on October 23, 1964 (No. 2) and October 8, 1965 (No. 1). The following musicians are the same in both recordings: Robert Mann and Isidore Cohen, violins; and Claus Adam, cello. In No. 1, the second cellist is Leslie Parnas. In No. 2, it is Bernard Greenhouse. These historic recordings continue a series of releases of memorable performances (begun in 1948) given by the Juilliard Quartet at the Library of Congress. The Juilliard String Quartet began in 1946 and were appointed Quartet in Residence by the Juilliard School's president, William Schuman. The genesis of these concerts is found in the generous philanthropy of Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge and Mrs. Gertrude Clarke Whittall. In 1924, Mrs. Coolidge provided funding to the Library of Congress for the construction of an auditorium, and for establishing a foundation for the purpose of acquiring manuscripts, commissioning works, and organizing festivals.

Average customer rating:

Pleasant, light-weight readings, too casual for these profound works

Brahms: String Sextets Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Asv Gold
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000ANDAN6
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Tracks:

Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Andante, Ma Moderato
Scherzo (Allegro Molto/Animato/Tempo I/Piu Animato)
Poco Allegretto E Grazioso/Animato, Poco A Poco Piu
Allegro Non Troppo
Scherzo (Allegro Non Troppo/Presto Giocoso/Tempo I/Animato)
Poco Adagio
Poco Allegro/Animato

Customer Reviews:

Pleasant, light-weight readings, too casual for these profound works.......2006-08-09

Besides the Piano Quintet, the most orchestral chamber works that Brahms wrote were his two Sextets for strings. They contain a great deal of profound music, yet the Lindsays play them both like serenades--light, fairly fast, and with easy polish. On their own terms, these are pleasant readings. If you had never heard the tremendous passion of the Alban Berg and Amadeus Qt. version on EMI, or performances almost as great from Marlboro and a starry group headed by Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma, both on Sony, the Lindsays might sound better. But there's no guts to their playing, and after a while it all glides by too easily.

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