Brahms emerged from the experience of writing hisString Quartet in A minor Op. 51 ready to tackle thedemands of composing symphonic works, thanksnot least to his score’s shrewdly balanced blendof warm lyricism, striking thematic contrasts andformal coherence.

The Escher String Quartet,formerly of the BBC New Generation Artists scheme, prefaces the piece with masterworks byMendelssohn and Janáček.