Johannes Brahms: String Sextets 1 & 2
The Lindsays
Peter Cropper – violin;
Ronald Birks – violin;
Robin Ireland – viola;
Bernard Gregor-Smith — cello
with: Louise Williams – viola;
Paul Watkins – cello
“(1st Sextet) revelling in the work’s glorious fullness, but of course The Lindsays and colleagues are able to put heart and soul into the music while keeping a careful control of the overall balance … wholehearted character of the playing is a big advantage … (They all) delight us with a range of the most beautiful, transparent sonorities … both sextets have a compelling sense of direction – in the Second’s magnificent first movement, we can feel what a giant young Brahms had become.” (Gramophone)
String Sextet No.1 in B flat, Op.18[1] Allegro ma non troppo 14:48[2] Andante, ma Moderato 9:42[3] Scherzo (Allegro molto – Animato –
Tempo I – piü animato) 3:14[4] Poco Allegretto e grazioso – Animato, poco a poco piü 10:21
String Sextet No.2 in G, Op.36[5] Allegro non troppo 14:38[6] Scherzo (Allegro non troppo – Presto giocoso –
Tempo I – Animato) 7:39[7] Poco Adagio 9:17[8] Poco Allegro – Animato 8:46