The Trio Jean Paul believes that Theodor Kirchner's arrangements for piano trio are not mere adaptations, but rather ingenious elucidations of Brahms's original string sextets.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Theodor Kirchner, the arranger of these works, was a sensitive arranger of other composers' works and always considered if Brahms would like his compositions.
Composition History
Brahms completed his String Sextet No. 1 in B Flat Major in 1860 while spending the summer with friends in Bonn.
Critical Reception
Theodor Kirchner's piano trio arrangements of Brahms's sextets were praised by Brahms himself, who wrote to his publisher, "I am exceedingly pleased with the trios!"
Performer Biography
The Trio Jean Paul, founded in 1991, has won first prizes at international competitions in Osaka (1993), Melbourne (1995), and the German Music Competition.
Compositional Technique
In the first movement of his String Sextet No. 2, Brahms wove in a recurring motif using the notes A-G-A-(D)-H-E, which spells out 'Agathe' in German musical notation.
Composer Biography
Brahms's String Sextet No. 2 in G Major is one of the few works where he musically processed a personal experience, specifically his breakup with Agathe von Siebold, a professor's daughter.
