Brahms String Sextets

Violinist Natasha Bazhanov convenes five colleagues to perform two sextets belonging to Brahms’ youth. Brimming with turbulent, thwarted longing, the first sextet dates from his closeness with Clara Schumann — a love which neither felt able to pursue after the death of Robert Schumann. By the time he composed the second sextet, Brahms was besotted with soprano Agathe von Siebold. But this also was not to be either. Although he gave her name to its main theme, by the time he had finished composing, it was all over. Pairs of violins, violas and cellos provide sonority and melodic power to express complex emotions. Two jewels from one of the greatest composers — heavenly!