5/5. In the early 1890s Brahms completed what he believed would be his last work and began to put his affairs in order. Then he encountered the clarinettist Richard Muhlfeld , whose exceptional playing inspired him to begin composing again. Donald Macleod introduces one of the chamber works inspired by Muhlfeld, the piano work Clara played for
Brahms on his last visit to her before her death, and the group of songs which he wrote for
Clara when he knew her death was inevitable. Da unten im Tale (Deutsche Volkslieder)
Edith Mathis (soprano), Karl Engel (piano) Trio in A minor, Op 114 Michael Collins (clarinet), Steven Isserlis (cello), Stephen Hough (piano)
Intermezzo in E flat minor, Op 118 No 6 Stephen Kovacevich (piano) Vier Ernste Gesange , Op 121
Olaf Bar (baritone), Helmut Deutsch (piano) Repeated on Thursday at 12 midnight