This season, members of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) will present two masterpieces of chamber music at the Theater Altes Hallenbad in Friedberg. Who doesn't know and love Schubert's only piano quintet, with its famous variation movement on the "capricious trout"? The song's cheerful tone imbues the entire quintet with an aura of unbridled musical joy, to which its bright, luminous sound also contributes. In stark contrast, the program begins with Brahms's long-matured, final piano quartet, which reflects profound biographical conflicts. It is among the most impressive chamber music of the Romantic era.

Trout Quintet

Theater Altes Hallenbad

Artists in Residence Lucas & Arthur Jussen will be performing chamber music, presenting captivating works for two pianos or pianists. The program ranges from the vibrant and moving Schubert movements to the rhythmic fire of Béla Bartók and the Romanticism of Robert Schumann. Bartók impressively showcased the secret affinity between the sound of two pianos and percussion in his famous sonata. For piano four-hands, however, the early Romantic Schubert left behind more than any other great composer: among other things, the most monumental sonata movement for piano four-hands we know: a stormily beginning, almost grim Allegro, which later inspired the publisher to title it "Life's Storms." Yet here, too, the heavens open – with one of those harmonic turns with which the late Schubert repeatedly transports his listeners to another world. The same is true of his single Adagio Trio movement, in which time seems to stand still.

Life's storms

Hessischer Rundfunk

In early October, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) will perform two guest concerts in Vietnam as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. As the official contribution of the State of Hesse to the anniversary festivities, the orchestra will present two large-scale chamber concerts featuring works by German composers, one in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, and the other in Ho Chi Minh City. The program includes a double quartet by the operatic dramatist Louis Spohr, who worked for many years in Hesse, as well as Ludwig van Beethoven's Sextet for two horns and string quartet and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Octet for four violins, two viols, and two cellos. Hesse and Vietnam have enjoyed a privileged partnership since 2012. The Southeast Asian country is a significant partner in education, research, and technology.

Anniversary concerts Vietnam

Ho Guom Opera

Paul Hindemith | The Serenades – Cantata for Soprano, Oboe, Viola and Cello op. 35 / Sonata for Viola Alone op. 25 No. 1 / Dream – from: Songs with Piano op. 18 / Sonata for Oboe and Piano / Sonata for Piano No. 2 / Sonata for Violoncello and Piano op. 11 No. 3

EPSG:4326

chamber music festival

Bertramstraße 8

This anniversary program invites you to a Hindemith-style celebration of his milestone birthday: with music that is unusual and rich, playful yet provocative, from his mature and youthful, rebellious days – all by Hindemith. This pioneer of modernism from Hanau opposed the cult of genius and the confessional nature of Romanticism throughout his life, in favor of a "new objectivity" that embraced parodic elements, quotations, and a playful engagement with popular genres. From Hindemith's extensive oeuvre, you will experience four sonatas for viola, oboe, and cello – with, without, or even solo piano – as well as an unconventional serenade. Chamber music at its finest!

Chamber Music Festival

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) regularly performs its chamber music concerts in Alsfeld. This time, musicians from the orchestra will present the two string sextets by Johannes Brahms. The String Sextet in B-flat major, Op. 18, and the String Sextet in G major, Op. 36, are among the masterpieces of string chamber music. Alongside the "German Requiem," they were ultimately what brought the young Brahms his musical breakthrough. Even though he himself later dismissed them as "long, sentimental pieces," they continue to captivate audiences today with their irresistible sonic appeal and melodic beauty.

Brahms in the Sextet

Albert-Schweitzer-Schule Alsfeld

In Alsfeld ist das hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt mit seinen Kammerkonzerten regelmäßig zu Gast. Diesmal präsentieren Musiker*innen des Orchesters die beiden Streichsextette von Johannes Brahms. Das B-Dur-Streichsextett op. 18 und das G-Dur-Streichsextett op. 36 gehören zu den Meisterwerken der Streicher-Kammermusik. Neben dem »Deutschen Requiem« waren sie letztlich auch, die dem jungen Brahms zu seinem musikalischen Durchbruch verhalfen. Auch wenn er sie selbst später als »lange, sentimentale Stücke« geringschätzte, faszinieren sie bis heute durch ihren unwiderstehlichen Klangreiz und ihre melodische Schönheit.

Brahms im Sextett

Schillerstraße 1

Season opener with three trio icons. An early stroke of genius by the young Shostakovich meets a stroke of musical luck by the late Schubert and the melancholy-filled "Trio élégiaque No. 1" by Rachmaninoff. Shostakovich was just 17 when he composed his piano trio, which was only published in 1983 from his posthumous manuscripts. Schubert's piano trio is one of his last and most mature works, which, according to Robert Schumann, passed over the musical scene of the time "like an angry celestial apparition." A chamber music series can hardly begin more intensely and sonorous.

Trio élégiaque

Two clarinet works by Bartók, imbued with the richness of Hungarian and Romanian folk music, encounter the exuberant early piano quartet by his Hungarian friend Brahms. Construction, contrast, and surprising hints of jazz meet youthful energy, romantic ambition, and the spirit of the "Hungarian Dances." Bartók's "Contrasts" was the first work with which the Hungarian exile presented himself to the American public in 1940. Commissioned by the legendary Benny Goodman, it was Goodman's jazz background that inspired Bartók to compose the piece. When Brahms once sent his Hungarian friend Joseph Joachim the score of his piano quartet with the "Rondo alla Zingarese," Joachim readily admitted that the Hanseatic composer had surpassed him on his own turf.

Bartók Contrasts

Chamber music icons in the former Rothschild orangery. The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester) presents three captivating trios by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, and Schubert at the premiere of its "Chamber Flicker" series in the historic pavilion in Frankfurt's Günthersburgpark. An early stroke of genius by the young Shostakovich meets a musical gem from the late Schubert and Rachmaninoff's melancholic "Trio élégiaque No. 1." Shostakovich was just 17 when he composed his Piano Trio, which was only published from his posthumous manuscripts in 1983. Schubert's Piano Trio is one of his last and most mature works, which, according to Robert Schumann, swept over the musical scene of the time "like an angry apparition from heaven."

Orangerie

A finale with two masterpieces. Who doesn't know and love Schubert's only piano quintet with its famous variation movement on the "capricious trout"? The song's cheerful tone imbues the entire quintet with an aura of carefree musical joy, to which its bright, luminous sound also contributes. In stark contrast, this is preceded by Brahms's long-matured, final piano quartet, which reflects deep biographical conflicts. It is among the most impressive chamber music of the Romantic era. When he sent the final version to his publisher, Brahms once jokingly suggested that the edition of the score should include a picture of the composer "in a Werther costume"—an allusion to Goethe's despairing suicide victim, as well as a reflection on the lingering effects of his more than 20-year-long turmoil in his love triangle with Clara and Robert Schumann.

Ulrich Horn

Events

Upcoming events

May 10, 2026

Bartók Contrasts · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Jun 2, 2026

Trio élégiaque · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Jun 7, 2026

Trout Quintet · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Mar 14, 2026

Trout Quintet · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Dec 7, 2025

Life's storms · Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Cello in String Sextet No. 2 by Brahms

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Trout Quintet by Schubert

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Trio élégiaque No. 1 by Rachmaninoff

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Piano Quartet No. 3 by Brahms

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Piano Quartet No. 1 by Brahms

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Cello Sonata by Hindemith

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Octet by Mendelssohn

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in String Sextet No. 1 by Brahms

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Andante and Variations by Schumann

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Notturno by Schubert

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Sonatina by Bartók

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Cello in Double String Quartet No. 4 by Spohr

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

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