Brahms: The Sextets - No 1 in Bb Op 18, No 2 in G major, Op 36.

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Brahms's two string sextets date from 1859-60 and 1864-5 respectively - a period characterized by several commentators as the composer's 'first maturity'. While this judgement may well be somewhat patronising towards the earlier music, it nevertheless points to a central truth about the works of that time, that they embody many of the distinctive features of Brahms's creative mission in a newly focused, refined and synthesized way, with influences assimilated and harnessed, an assured mastery of technique, and increased expressive definition and diversity.