Third movement

Fourth movement

“Opus 8” is misleading, since the original Opus 8 version, written in 1854 when Brahms was 21, is almost never played. Brahms revised it in 1889, at the age of 56. Recordings of the original version are rare, because frankly it’s a shadow of the revised version; it goes on and on, with sections where he’s clearly trying to impress with counterpoint that wind up being strident and dull. But it’s perversely heartening to hear it—if Brahms could improve that much in 35 years, there’s hope for the rest of us, too.

Players

Ann Aschbacher, piano
Meg Lamm, violin
Evan Evanson, cello

Right-click here to download the MP3 file of the third movement.
Right-click here to download the MP3 file of the fourth movement.