Complete Chamber Works : Brandis Quartet, Tokyo Quartet, Nash Ensemble, G.Pauk(Vn)Leister(Cl)etc (12CD)

Brahms: Complete Chamber Music, Composer Johannes Brahms, Artist Various artists, Format 12 CD, This extensive collection comprises the complete chamber works of Johannes Brahms. These works are often considered to be the finest offering of chamber music since that of Ludwig van Beethoven; a selection which perfectly captures the musical and creative personality of it's composer. Many perceived Brahms as a true champion of the Classical tradition, although his works also show the influence of Franz Schubert, Brahms's most revered mentor. Thus Brahms's innovative tonality and expansive structures heralded an entirely new era of chamber music. The works showcase the evolution of Brahms's treatment of theme; sometimes combining several melodies at once, developing a theme as it was being presented or else presenting a theme again in recapitulation, but changing the mood or character, to evoke a totally different feel. The composer wrote for an abundance of chamber-music ensembles, bestowing the Piano Quartets Opp. 24 & 25 with qualities that are associated with much larger-scale works. Among the many illustrious performers on this recording are the Brandis Quartett, Tokyo Quartet and The Nash Ensemble, alongside a host of other stellar instrumentalists. Brahms' chamber music represents the core of his entire output. Listening to these undisputed masterworks one gets the impression this genius symphonist reserved his best inspirations for these sonatas, trios, quartets, quintets and sextets: what glorious melodies, what glowing harmonies and what instrumental mastery enchants and captures the listener. A uniform high artistic level (Tokyo Quartet, Nash Ensemble, Brandis Quartett, Isabelle Faust, Gyrgy Pauk, Karl Leister and others) makes this set a highly desirable bargain.