If I Could Choose Only One Work By...BRAHMS

It Would Have To Be...String Sextet No. 2 in G major
Adventurous, uninhibited, formally brilliant, melodically stunning--quintessential Brahms from his early maturity.

The List So Far:
1. Ravel: Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose Ballet)
2. Bruckner: Symphony No. 7
3. Schubert: String Quintet in C major
4. Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4
5. Mahler: Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”
6. Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
7. Debussy: Preludes for Piano (Books 1 & 2)
8: Handel: Saul
9. Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro

[zdl]

Piano Concerto No.2 - the ultimate symphony and concerto, and "little piano pieces" all wrapped up in one!

[fgiordfgg]

the opus 8 trio:one of the most
moving and beautiful chamber
works ever written. I listen to
it at least once a week.

[francoziliani]

Very difficult or impossible choice but at the end I choose the Deutsches Requiem

[chrisnorlin]

I've got nothing against the sextets, but Brahm's piano writing is so distinctive in its weightiness and pitting 2 vs 3 rhythmically in left and right hands, that if you could choose only one work and you choose a chamber work, you've gotta choose one that includes piano. Listening to works like violin, clarinet, cello sonatas, I sometimes force myself tune out the other instrument and focus on the accompaniment - I never cease to be amazed.

[geraldparker]

I personally would opt for the Clarinet Quintet, but I have to admit that the Sextets are fabulous and extremely appealing works.

[strangeitude]

A little late to comment, but Oh My, can't believe that the pick is the 2nd Sextet, it was the first thing that came out of my mind when saw the video title. I absolutely adore that work !

[bikejack]

My pick is Brahms Serenade No 1in D. Brahms in top form and a joy to listen to.

[ericleiter]

This is a good choice...and yes, for anyone who hasn't seen Dave's detailed breakdown of this piece, go check it out. You will clearly see why he is right in choosing a chamber work over the more obvious orchestral/vocal pieces

[woongcho]

This Only One Work series is so pressing, challenging and demanding to watch. That said, I would go for his third violin sonata because that's the work that introduced me to the Brahmsian universe.

[brossjackson]

A lovely pick, and a work that deserves more recognition.

[evansercombe]

Much as I love the String Sextets, my pick would have to be the 4th Symphony. While it is orchestral, and not characteristic of the majority of his style, the harmonic and formal mastery present in the piece are all his. The 4th, to me, is among his most emotionally passionate and beautiful works, even from a timbral perspective! There are gorgeous moments of orchestration throughout the work, he finally learned how to use color and it’s just wonderful.

[earlofmar]

This is my favourite work of Brahms, who is one of my (many) favourite composers. It's true that his chamber music is very beautiful and rewarding.

[johnbyrd]

I adore the Belcea’s recent recording of the 2nd Sextet.

[walterbenjamin]

I love the piano trios and the violin sonatas! All of them!

[rubeng]

For me it's the Clarinet Quintet. This piece just brings vivid images of autumn, and lost childhood friends to my mind. Deep nostalgia.

[flexusmaximus]

Way to go Dave ! My choice also, with the 4th symphony a close second. The 2nd sextet is chamber with an orchestral feel. The melodic appeal and flow, is almost schubert like, truly inspired.
Paul

[peterboer]

Dave, I totally agree. Nice singing! I associate the sextet with an Arcadian landscape in a picture. The Vienna Konzerthaus Quartet is my favourite version. It is on Youtube and included in the Scribendum box.

[thomasherreng]

I would choose the clarinet Quintet. I love the sweet nostalgia of late Brahms. I could have chose the little piano Intermezzo in A op118 n2 which is for me the most beautiful piece written for the piano, but it's too short to give a whole picture of Brahms' work.

[sansumida]

As regards the chamber works he wrote 24 masterpieces but destroyed the rest.
He was highly self critical burning any sketches so what we have left is cream of the crop.
Clarinet Quintet my favourite although fully get the choice for the Sextet.

[nonretrogradable]

I’m impressed this was the pick, and quite happy about it. I’m a rare classical music fan who does not lean in toward symphonic works and is drawn to instrumental chamber music. I haven’t listened to all of the Brahms symphonies but I’ve got the violin/cello sonatas, trios, piano quartets, etc on consistently. The 2nd Sextet is so interesting harmonically as well. Thanks Dave!