Richard Strauss: Piano Quartet in C minor, (1884)

Richard Strauss: Piano Quartet in C minor, (1884) (00:00) . Presto (14:33) (22:02) (30:21) Philharmonisches Klavierquartett Berlin Aulos Musikado 2004 During his early years, Strauss took Schumann and Mendelssohn as his models, but in the case of the Piano Quartet, there is also evidence that Brahms was influential. The Piano Quartet, which must count as one of Strauss’ most important works from this period, was completed in 1884 and is in four movements. (00:00) The massive opening Allegro begins in turbulent fashion virtually exploding out of the gate but the second theme is both more lyrical and reflective. The first movement Allegro traverses a large dramatic arc in the most classical sonata form and the influence of Brahms is apparent throughout. Particularly stunning is Strauss’s handling of “thematic variation“, a technique for which both Brahms and the mature Strauss are famous. The