JOHANNES BRAHMS

Two positions emerged in the German-Austrian musical culture of the mid-19th century. Richard Wagner nurtured new traditions in composing “music of the future”,  and Johannes Brahms saw “music of the future” as utopia and could not accept the termination of development of pure instrumental music. The composer was interested in various genres except opera. His symphonies, concerti and chamber music enjoy great recognition. Brahms wrote 24 chamber ensembles for various line-ups: string quartets, quintets (including one with clarinet), sextets, piano trios and quartets, etc. The premiere of the Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (in total, Brahms produced three piano quartets) took place on November 16, 1861 in Hamburg, with Clara Schumann, an exceptional pianist and the composer’s friend, at the piano. The Quartet fascinates with a range of moods – from graceful dance to drama, from subtle philosophical reflection to majestic pathetics. In addition to all these qualities, the work’s special popularity was boosted by the adventurous finale (Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto), offering a colourful projection of the gypsy temperament.

Brahms’ chamber music gem features the members of the Vilnius String Quartet: Dalia Kuznecovaitė (violin), Monika Augulytė (viola), Augustinas Vasiliauskas (cello) and pianist Golda Vainberg-Tatz, the Quartet’s faithful friend and stage partner.