We know Mahler for his symphonies but the one-movement piano quartet he wrote as a teenager gives us a rare glimpse of his compositional start. Before the profoundly personal C minor quartet by Brahms, we explore the wonderful piano quartet by relatively unheralded English composer, Herbert Howells, known more for his choral work but clearly a master of chamber music too. Brahms started his third piano quartet in despair over the illness of his close friend Robert Schumann and his unrequited love for Robert's wife, Clara. He told his publisher he should put a picture of Brahms with a pistol to his head on the cover.

Gustav Mahler - Piano Quartet movement in A minor

Herbert Howells - Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 21 (Scotch College Concert only)

Johannes Brahms - Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60

Tian Tian Lan, piano
Wilma Smith, violin
Lisa Grosman, viola
James Monro, cello