String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2, Op. 51 No. 2

Brahms's String Quartet in A minor, Op. 51 No. 2 (1873) is the more lyrical and introspective of the two Op. 51 quartets, its opening movement's tender principal theme establishing a wistful, autumnal tone that pervades the whole work. Brahms laboured over his first two quartets for more than twenty years before deeming them fit for publication — Joachim reportedly joked that "Brahms has written at least 20 string quartets, but won't publish any of them" — and the craftsmanship is accordingly impeccable. The slow movement's transcendent Andante moderato is one of Brahms's finest inspirations, and the finale's Hungarian flavour — a nod to his great friend Joachim — gives the quartet a characteristic tonal warmth.