String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 18
by Johannes Brahms
Composed in 1859–60, this is Brahms's first published chamber work and an immediate popular success. The warm, autumnal scoring — two each of violins, violas, and cellos — gives it an unusually rich, dark sonority unlike any string quartet. The slow movement's set of variations on an original theme in D minor, with their brooding depth and tender lyricism, is among Brahms's most beloved chamber inspirations.
Editions
Henle Verlag
Hans-Christian Müller, 1991
Urtext edition. Based on the autograph and first edition. Definitive scholarly text for study and performance.
Bärenreiter
Michael Musgrave, 2007
Critical edition with full editorial commentary. Part of the Brahms Complete Edition project.
Peters
Max Kalbeck, 1902
Early practical edition. Some historical editorial markings but widely used in the 20th century.