Johannes Brahms: String Sextet No. 1, Theme and Variations in D Minor (Remastered) Kocian Quartet, Josef Kluson, Michal Kanka, Jean-François Heisser

• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897): String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18:
• 1 Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18: I. Allegro ma non troppo 13:52
• 2 Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18: II. Andante, ma moderato 10:20
• 3 Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18: III. Scherzo. Allegro molto 03:19
• 4 Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18: IV. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso 09:14
• Johannes Brahms:
• 5 Brahms: Theme and Variations in D Minor, Op. 18b 11:04
• Total Runtime 47:49

Info for Johannes Brahms: String Sextet No. 1, Theme and Variations in D Minor (Remastered)

The string Sextet genre was introduced at the end of the 18th century by Boccherini but did not fully blossom until Brahms and Tchaikovsky, before Schönberg, Reger, Martinu and Richard Strauss. We probably owe the first Brahms Sextet (1859) to the example of Spohr. Nicknamed ‘Frühling-Sextett’ (Spring Sextet) by the critics of the time and arousing Clara Schumann’s enthusiasm, it does not conceal the influence of the great Viennese masters, from Schubert in the Andante, Beethoven in the Scherzo, and even Haydn in the major theme of the Finale. There is not yet anything symphonic in this form that Brahms adjusted to the classical references of chamber music, like the early version for octet of his Opus 11 Serenade, which would be orchestrated only to pay the rent. Clara Schumann begged Brahms for a piano transcription of the noble slow movement, and he complied with the Theme and Variations in D minor. The stern, rather archaic theme and the rigid adherence of all the ensuing six variations suggest a debt to Bach and especially to his D minor Chaconne for solo violin. But equally these variations so transform the theme, and are so rich in their contrasted sonorities, that they completely transcend the strictness of the form.

Awards: Choc by Le Monde de la Musique, Recommended by Classica, Recommended by Répertoire, 5 by Diapason

"The excellent Kocian Quartet enlarged by the no less excellent violist and cellist of Pražák Quartet offers interpretations of an enthusiastic strength and of an exceptional stylistic rightness. Perfects in the flight of the melody, in the airing of the counterpoint and of the polyphony, in rhythmical pulsation and in richness of tones." (Le Monde de la Musique, Juillet 1998)

Kocian Quartet
Josef Klusoň, viola
Michal Kaňka, cello
Jean-François Heisser, piano

Digitally remastered

The Kocian Quartet
is a Czech classical chamber ensemble. Originally named the New String Quartet, it was founded in 1972 by three members of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Pravoslav Kohout.

Zemlinsky Quartet
Founded in 1994 while the members were still students, the ZEMLINSKY QUARTET has become a much lauded example of the Czech string quartet tradition. The Zemlinsky Quartet won the First Grand Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in 2010. They have also been awarded top prizes at the Banff International String Quartet Competition (2007), Prague Spring International Music Competition (2005) and London International String Quartet Competition (2006), where they also received the Audience Prize. The Quartet was recipient of the Alexander Zemlinsky Advancement Award in 2008. Other notable prizes include Beethoven International Competition (1999), New Talent Bratislava (2003), Martinů Foundation String Quartet Competition (2004), and the Prize of Czech Chamber Music Society (2005). In the season 2016/17, Zemlinsky Quartet was appointed as the residential ensemble of the Czech Chamber Music Society.

While students at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts Prague, the ensemble was coached by members of renowned Czech string quartets including the Talich, Prague, Kocian and Pražák Quartets. The ensemble also took part in several master classes including ProQuartet, in France and Sommerakademie in Reichenau, Austria where they were awarded First Prize for the best interpretation of a work by Janáček. From 2005 to 2008, the quartet studied with Walter Levin, the first violinist of LaSalle Quartet. Their recent mentor has been Josef Klusoň, the violist of the Pražák Quartet.

Zemlinsky Quartet is named after the Austrian composer, conductor and teacher Alexander Zemlinsky (1871-1942), whose enormous contribution to Czech, German and Jewish culture during his 16-year residence in Prague had been underrated until recently. His four string quartets (the second one being dedicated to his student and brother-in-law Arnold Schönberg) belong to the basic repertoire of the ensemble. Since 2005, the quartet has maintained a special relationship with the Alexander Zemlinsky Foundation in Vienna.

The Zemlinsky Quartet performs regularly in the Czech Republic and abroad (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Monaco, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Canada, USA, Brazil, Japan, South Korea). Recent major appearances of the Zemlinsky Quartet include London’s Wigmore Hall, Cité de la Musique in Paris, Library of Congress, Place des Arts in Montreal, Prague Spring Festival, and their New York debut on Schneider/New School Concerts Series.

Their vast repertoire contains more than 200 works ranging from Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Dvorak to works by contemporary composers. The members of the ensemble also perform as soloists and are individual prize-winners of several competitions (Concertino Praga, Spohr International Competition Weimar, Tribune of Young Artists UNESCO, Rotary Music Competition Nürnberg,Beethoven International Competition, Kocian International Competition).

Between 2006-2011, the Zemlinsky Quartet were Assistant Quartet-in-Residence at Musikakademie Basel in Switzerland. Music education is an important part of their professional life and during their tours, the quartet is often invited to give master classes to students of any age. They also perform educational concerts for students. Recently, František Souček and Petr Holman have been appointed Professors at the Prague Conservatory.

Booklet for Johannes Brahms: String Sextet No. 1, Theme and Variations in D Minor (Remastered)