Henle Verlag Brahms J. - Quintette Avec Clarinette Op.115 - Parties Separees

Summary of This Score

This edition gathers one of the major works of Romantic chamber music: Johannes Brahms
Quintet with Clarinet in B minor op. 115 for clarinet (A), 2 violins, viola, and cello. Marked by writing that is both dense and luminous, this quintet emerged from a particular context: in 1890, Brahms was considering ending his composing career before being deeply inspired by his encounter with clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld. Opus 115, with its singing lines and subtle balances between winds and strings, quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the clarinet chamber repertoire.

The Henle Urtext edition, prepared under the supervision of Kathrin Kirsch, emphasizes the reliability of the text and clarity of reading to facilitate ensemble work: articulation placement, dynamic coherence, and understanding of musical phrasing. The "Bemerkungen" or "Comments" provide useful discussion points on variants and the reception of the work, a real asset for refining an informed interpretation.

A particularly interesting point for chamber musicians: from the preparation of the work for printing, an alternative version was created with a viola replacing the clarinet. Created notably by Joseph Joachim and authorized by Brahms, it is included here as an alternative viola part. This option opens the door to other concert configurations while preserving the spirit and musical proportions of this emblematic quintet.

Technical specifications

Musical Genre

Classical

Composer	Johannes Brahms	Instrumentation	clarinet (A), 2 violins, viola, cello (with alternative version for viola)
Edition	Urtext Edition	Genre	classical score (chamber music)