Brhams Sextets and Quintets, Amadeus Qt/DG

This is a fine collection of the two Sextets Opp 18 and 36 and the four Quintets Opp. 34, 88, 111 and 115 of Brahms by the Amadeus String Quartet with added solists. The Op 34 is the F-minor Piano Quintet also often incuded with Brahms Piano Quartets in recorded sets. Here, it stands out as a wonderful performance. The Op 115 is the most fetching and famous of the lot, the Clairnet Quintet, and whose second movement is the most tender. But the Op 18, Sextet for Strings in B-flat is prehaps the easiest to approach and the most lyrical. I first learned this piece 35 years ago. I did not know the Op 36, and take a particular shine to its finale. The Op, 88 is also new to me, the theme of its first movement being somehow quintisential for Brahms. I think that the theme of the first movement of Op 36 reminds me of Schubert, from whom one hears lots of echos in Brahms. This recording is 419875-2 on Deutsche Grammophon. The Dover Books Score Johannes Brahms, Complete Chamber Music for Strings contains the music for all but the Op. 34.