Piano Quartet in C minor played by the London Belgian Piano Quartet
Of all Brahms's many instrumental works only three bear witness to programmatic intention : the Piano Sonata in F minor, Op. 5, the Tragic Overture, and the Piano Quartet in C minor. Although the Piano Quartet has neither sub-title nor inscription, on at least three occasions Brahms indicated to his friends its emotional background. To his publisher, Simrock, he wrote : ' You may place a picture on the title-page, namely, a head-with a pistol in front of it. This will give you some idea of the music. I shall send you a picture of myself for the purpose I You may also make use of a blue frock-coat, a yellow waistcoat, and top boots, as you appear to be so fond of colour prints.' This last description refers to Goethe's Werther, the unhappy lover.