The Brahms Effect with Tom Allen

Tom Allen recounts the history and influence of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet

Johannes Brahms was ostensibly retired after he had composed what be considered to be his final piece when he heard clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld play. All of a sudden, the retirement was off. Brahms went on to create some of the most successful chamber music of his career, including the highly influential Clarinet Quintet. While he was not the first to write for this ensemble, the richness of this work inspired generations of composers. Tom Allen guides us through the history of the Quintet and a sampling of some of the brilliant works inspired by it.