Johannes Brahms - String Quartets, Op. 51 Nos. 1 & 2 (Zehetmair Quartett)

Information

Composer: Johannes Brahms

• String Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 51 No. 1
• String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 51 No. 2

Zehetmair Quartett

    Thomas Zehetmair, violin

    Jakub Jakowicz, violin

    Ruth Killius, viola

    Christian Elliott, cello

Date: 2025

Label: ECM New Series

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For over thirty years, the Zehetmair Quartett has been a leading force in chamber music, acclaimed for its ECM recordings of Schumann, Hindemith, Bartók, and Hartmann. Their latest release features Brahms’s String Quartets Op. 51 Nos. 1 and 2, works of emotional depth and formal mastery that mark the composer’s first published quartets after destroying many earlier attempts. Known for their intense, memory-based performances and expressive clarity, the ensemble brings fresh insight to these classics. The album also stands as a tribute to cellist Christian Elliott (1984–2025), whose artistry and presence will be deeply missed by his colleagues.

Founded in 1994 by Austrian violinist and conductor Thomas Zehetmair, the Zehetmair Quartet is recognized as one of the world’s leading string quartets. The ensemble has performed at major venues and festivals across Europe and beyond, including Wigmore Hall, Salzburg Festival, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and the Edinburgh International Festival. Their acclaimed ECM discography spans Schumann, Hindemith, Bartók, Holliger, Hartmann, and Beethoven, earning honors such as Gramophone’s Record of the Year and the Paul Hindemith Prize (2014).