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TALICH QUARTET 13
The
String Sextet no.1 in B flat major, op.18
(1860) was an immediate success on
its first performance in Hanover on 20 October 1860 by a sextet formed by Joseph
Joachim.
The audience appreciated its fresh, bright inspiration. It has nothing of the classical
divertissement
, but is rather a deeply Romantic piece, although its texture does not
renounce long developments or phrases irregular in rhythmandmood. It was later
nicknamed the
Frühlingssextett
(Spring Sextet), obviously in tribute to Beethoven.
Its elegance, subtlety and apparent naturalness conceal the difficulties the young
Brahms experienced in writing this piece and which led him to ask Joachim to
check the manuscript. The violinist suggested several important changes and.
Brahms followed his shrewd advice.