Brahms Chamber Music

[George]

Recently I listened to the Alban Berg set of the Brahms SQs and found the music (or sound) grating. I just got this set because sound samples online seemed easier on the ear. Listening to it now, on my stereo, I am not so sure. I don't know exactly why, but I have a hard time appreciating romantic chamber music. I usually comes off as too "in your face," too grating and hard on my ears. Weird because I love romantic concertos, symphonies and solo piano music and I don't get this affect with these genres at all. And for what it's worth, this is not a new issue for me and this music.

[DavidW]

George,

Both ABQ and Budapest deliver intense performances.  If that is not your thing then please try the Alexander Quartet.  They are still interesting but more relaxed.

[Spotted Horses]

George,

Both ABQ and Budapest deliver intense performances.  If that is not your thing then please try the Alexander Quartet.  They are still interesting but more relaxed.

I haven't listened in ages, but the Quartetto Italiano can usually be depended on to find the lyrical side of music.

[George]

George,

Both ABQ and Budapest deliver intense performances.  If that is not your thing then please try the Alexander Quartet.  They are still interesting but more relaxed.

I haven't listened in ages, but the Quartetto Italiano can usually be depended on to find the lyrical side of music.

Thanks, guys. Will keep that in mind.

I was just reading about the Brahms quartets on a few different sites and it seems that they are not nearly regarded as much of his other chamber music. So now I am wondering if maybe I just don't like the music. I'll keep listening. The set I posted above has a number of other works I can try, like the clarinet quintets, the piano quintet and the string quintets - all works that seem to be highly regarded.   

[Scion7]

These might be to your taste: 

[Spotted Horses]

Thanks, guys. Will keep that in mind.

I was just reading about the Brahms quartets on a few different sites and it seems that they are not nearly regarded as much of his other chamber music. So now I am wondering if maybe I just don't like the music. I'll keep listening. The set I posted above has a number of other works I can try, like the clarinet quintets, the piano quintet and the string quintets - all works that seem to be highly regarded.   

Speaking only for myself, the string quartets are just as highly regarded as his other chamber music.

Most recently I listened to the Amadeus Quartet recordings and was mesmerized, particularly by the first two quartets.

[George]

Speaking only for myself, the string quartets are just as highly regarded as his other chamber music.

Most recently I listened to the Amadeus Quartet recordings and was mesmerized, particularly by the first two quartets.

OK, thanks. I plan to revisit. I recall that Brahms symphony 4 took a number of listens for it to to click.

[Spotted Horses]

OK, thanks. I plan to revisit. I recall that Brahms symphony 4 took a number of listens for it to to click.

I have to confess it too me a bit more time to absorb the quartets, compared with the sextets. The quintets gave me the most difficulty, as I recall.

[DavidW]

I have to confess it too me a bit more time to absorb the quartets, compared with the sextets. The quintets gave me the most difficulty, as I recall.

Yes the string quartets really challenged me.  I found the piano quartets to be the easiest because it had that richness that the piano concertos had... and Brahms has a real talent with the piano.

[Que]

Recently I listened to the Alban Berg set of the Brahms SQs and found the music (or sound) grating.

ABQ Teldec or EMI? I ask because the former is much to be preferred and does the music more justice IMO.

 

[Jo498]

I find the ABQ Teldec rather warm sounding. While it was never my own stance I can understand people finding the string quartets among the tougher pieces. Another nice sounding, not too intense recording is with the Vogler quartet (RCA, on 3 single discs with Schumann). A great early stereo (but some strident sounds on my oldish CD, maybe LPs or more recent CDs sound better) of op.51 is with the Janacek Qt. (Supraphon)

My favorite is the a minor qt and find it of about average accessibility among Brahms' chamber works.

The most accessible are probably the trio op.8, the piano quartets and violin sonatas, and maybe the clarinet works.

[George]

ABQ Teldec or EMI? I ask because the former is much to be preferred and does the music more justice IMO.

Hi Que. I have the Teldec.

[Symphonic Addict]

A set that could be under the radar for many is this:



It includes the Clarinet Quintet but not the Piano Quintet. These performances are uniformly excellent in very good sound.

[Spotted Horses]

A set that could be under the radar for many is this:



It includes the Clarinet Quintet but not the Piano Quintet. These performances are uniformly excellent in very good sound.

I have most (maybe all) of the original releases of those recordings and I agree that they are very well done.

[Maestro267]

Where's the chair for the sixth player?

[Skogwald]

I've been listening to different recordings of the sextets lately. I find the Raphael Ensemble a bit too soft maybe?

Here are the ones I enjoy the most currently:

1. Hausmusik - The period strings give the music a different texture that I really like. The performance is much more dynamic than L'Archibudelli's.
2. Stuttgart Soloists - Just a very solid recording, no notes.
3. Talich Quartet - If you like your Brahms romantic and dramatic, this is the one to get. They play with a lot of conviction.

Then there's also the lovely recording of sextet no. 1 by Casals et al. It is surely one of the best, but unfortunately it is paired on disc with a version of Trio no. 1 that I don't really care for.

[Skogwald]

They have already been mentioned several times in this thread, but I would just like to sing my praises to Suk and Katchen. They are unsurpassed both in the Violin Sonatas and the Piano Trios imo!

[Luke]

Seconded on Suk in the sonatas, but I adore Grumiaux here too. Mind you, they are such masterpieces, I've never heard them done badly.

[Mandryka]

I've been listening to different recordings of the sextets lately. I find the Raphael Ensemble a bit too soft maybe?

Here are the ones I enjoy the most currently:

1. Hausmusik - The period strings give the music a different texture that I really like. The performance is much more dynamic than L'Archibudelli's.
2. Stuttgart Soloists - Just a very solid recording, no notes.
3. Talich Quartet - If you like your Brahms romantic and dramatic, this is the one to get. They play with a lot of conviction.

Then there's also the lovely recording of sextet no. 1 by Casals et al. It is surely one of the best, but unfortunately it is paired on disc with a version of Trio no. 1 that I don't really care for.

Have you tried Capuçon, Hagen, Caussé etc? That's the one I've been enjoying most recently in the second

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8290163--brahms-string-sextets-nos-1-2

[Skogwald]

Have you tried Capuçon, Hagen, Caussé etc? That's the one I've been enjoying most recently in the second

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8290163--brahms-string-sextets-nos-1-2

I haven't heard that one! I'll give it a shot.