Philharmonic Chamber Music Concert

Brahms’s Quartet in A major is a large-scale composition, one of the longest in its genre. The score gives masterly treatment to echoes of Franz Schubert’s setting of Heine’s poem »Die Stadt«, and of themes by Bach, Schubert and Schumann in the aptly-named scherzo.

Hans von Bülow, who was both a friend and sponsor of Brahms and also a supporter of the young Richard Strauss, infected the latter with his admiration of Brahms: the Piano Quartet that Strauss wrote aged 19 gives evidence of his enthusiasm for the work of the older composer, who was 30 years his senior. Connoisseurs of Strauss opera will recognise passages and phrases that anticipate »Der Rosenkavalier«. When it was written, the Piano Quartet was absolutely contemporary in style, and Richard Strauss was regarded as the most important talent in German instrumental music.

Renovation Work in Recital Hall Foyer: The Recital Hall Foyer is currently not accessible owing to renovation work currently being carried out. A cloakroom for guests will be provided on the Plaza in close vicinity to the entrance of the Recital Hall. Some intermission refreshments will also be on offer on the Plaza. We apologise for the inconvenience.