Brahms: String Sextets Arranged for Piano Trio

Ceccanti, Duccio, Ceccanti, Vittorio, Fossi, Matteo

96867

This new recording presents the two famous and beautiful string sextets by Johannes Brahms in the piano trio version by Theodor Kirchner, revised and authorized by Brahms himself.

In the 19th century most the major composers used to transcribe their chamber and symphonic works for various ensembles, usually for piano four hands or two pianos, but also for different ensembles.

Theodor Kirchner (1823-1903) was widely considered to be the finest arranger of his time. Brahms noted that Kirchner could make better arrangements of his works than he could himself. Why did Brahms want an arrangement of his String Sextets? The answer is simple: to make them more widely available. A string sextet, by its very nature requiring six players, was less likely to receive a performance than a work for three. This arrangement, was not only authorized by Brahms himself, it was requested by him. It became actually both more popular and more frequently performed in concert than the original! This arrangement not only entirely retains the character of the original but provides an added dimension.

Played by Duccio Ceccanti (violin), Vittorio Ceccanti (cello) and Matteo Fossi (piano). They already made an excellent recording for Brilliant Classics of the piano quartets by Robert Schumann.

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

4/5/23

5028421968674