Our Konzerthaus Chamber Orchestra is making its first appearance of the season with a particularly ‘concentrated’ line-up of two string sextets and a string quintet. Cellist Viola Bayer, a member of the board of the member-run ensemble, says about the concert:

„We have been playing together in the Konzerthausorchester for many years and also regularly in the Konzerthaus Chamber Orchestra. If we play in a very small ensemble like this evening, it is especially gratifying that we already have so much common ground musically. There are hardly any string quintets or sextets as permanent freelance ensembles, because far fewer pieces have been written for them than for string quartets. So, usually a quartet brings in one or two musicians from outside, which means it has to find a new balance first. But it's very worthwhile, because among the pieces written for two violins, two violas and two cellos are such wonderful classics as Brahms' first string sextet. And discoveries such as the ‘Capriccio’ sextet from Richard Strauss' opera!

I think Brahms's first string sextet is simply magnificent and I can't say which movement or passage I like best. The whole beginning sounds like a big hug. Brahms was only 27 when he wrote it, and the different emotions that stirred him – love, pain, joy – can be felt within the first movement, which then fades away quietly in pizzicato. I think he was able to express this with a depth, subtlety and love like no other. For us musicians, it is indescribably beautiful to recreate this feeling in our playing and pass it on to those who listen to us.”