Piano Quartet in G Minor, op. 25 (urtext); Johannes Brahms (G. Henle Verlag)

Piano Quartet in G minor, Op.25 for violin, viola, cello, and piano by Johannes Brahms

Includes parts and piano score. Urtext edition by Hanspeter Krellmann. Published by Henle

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a significant German composer whose music is often considered to represent the apex of 19th century romanticism. He aligned himself with baroque and classical traditions with his structural coherence and contrapuntal mastery, yet he was also considered a progressive in his freer treatment of dissonance, rhythm, and motivic development. His music is known for its meticulous, intelligent craft, as well as its uniquely introspective and tender emotional core.

Brahms was a master at composing for chamber ensembles, especially those featuring piano. His first such piece was his Piano Quartet in G minor, Op.25 (1861), a hallmark of Brahms's early compositional maturity and which led violinist Joseph Hellmesberger to declare "This is the heir to Beethoven!" Indeed, this popular work displays considerable mastery of Beethovenian motivic development across its four movements, ranging from a lyrical, restrained Intermezzo (one of his first) to an exotic, lively rondo in the Hungarian style. This premium Henle urtext edition contains critical and historical commentary. Includes parts and piano score. Advanced level, Grade 5. Weight: 1.2 lbs