From the opening chord of his string quintet, this unmistakably Brahms at his best: rich, sumptuous, and expressive. Even the composer himself was taken by his work, describing it as “one of his finest works” and that “you have never before heard such a beautiful work from me”. The fact that Schubert’s Overture in C minor references Beethoven’s early symphonies tells us more about the character of the work than the fact it was his earliest chamber work. From the arresting overture through to the final thrilling notes, this music is a distillation of pure drama. FEATURING Madeleine Jevons^, violin Ioana Tache#, violin Anthony Chataway^, viola Eunise Cheng*, viola Daniel Smith*, cello ^ Penny String Quartet * Partridge String Quartet # Guest Violinist PROGRAM BRAHMS String Quintet No.1 in F Op.88 SCHUBERT Overture in C minor D.8