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These songs are unsurprisingly introspective and melancholic given the personal matters Brahms was enduring at the time. The first, 'Die Kränze' (Wreaths), is a monument to grief and 'Magyarische' (Magyar’s song) is a lighter affair, with its origins in German folk music. The third song, 'Die Schaler der Vergessenheit' (The Cup of Forgetfulness) is a poignant plea for a lover’s forgiveness and to close the quartet there’s 'An die Nachtigall' (To the Nightingale), which pairs human sadness and grief with the sounds and songs of nature. Despite the evident sadness, the songs retain the rich harmonies so typical of Brahms’ other works.

Composer: Johannes Brahms
Performer: Benjamin Appl (Baritone)
Performer: Julius Drake (Piano)
Recording date: 25 March 2019
Date of broadcast: 24 May 2019