CSO Chamber Players Antonín DVOŘÁK Waltz No. 1 in A major, op. 54 Johannes BRAHMS Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 115 Johannes Brahms first discovered Antonín Dvořák through the latter’s voluminous submission to a composition competition. The story goes that Brahms, one of the judges, was immediately impressed by Dvořák’s seemingly limitless ability to devise inventive melodies. The pair enjoyed a long friendship and professional association, both achieving lasting recognition among the greats of the Romantic era. Brahms introduced Dvořák to his publisher, who was similarly captivated and demanded a great number of light, popular works. The Waltz No. 1 in A major was one such piece, written to charm both publisher and punter with its lyrical lilt and musical variety. Conversely, Brahms penned his Quintet for Clarinet and Strings after declaring his composing career had come to an end. Characterised by dark tonal hues and rich textures, its beauty is in deep introspection and melancholy.