Considered one of the pieces that brought Brahms back out of retirement, the Clarinet Quintet is a lush masterpiece filled with colour.

In 1891, while attending a festival in the small town of Meiningen, Brahms heard the Principal Clarinettist of the local orchestra performing and was so awestruck that he decided to compose new music for him. One of the pieces Brahms wrote was this Clarinet Quartet, which combines the smooth sound of the clarinet with a string quartet. In this first movement, the gentle melody of the clarinet emerges from the swirling opening of the strings, which sets the tone for what follows – moments of tender tranquillity led by the clarinet shine through this impassioned and lush music.

Filmed with the support of our partners at City Recital Hall.

Program
Brahms Clarinet Quintet: I. Allegro

Artists
James Burke Clarinet
Marianne Edwards Violin
Kristy Hilton Violin
Tobias Breider Viola
Leah Lynn Cello