This final concert begins with Johannes Brahms’s Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, a composition marked by its dramatic intensity and emotional depth. Although Brahms began work on the quartet in the early 1850s, he did not complete it until 1873. The piece reflects a long period of artistic and personal struggle and is often associated with his complex relationship with Clara Schumann. It combines structural clarity with expressive turbulence, culminating in a powerful and somber finale.

In the second half of the program, Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, offers a contrasting vision of Romanticism. Composed in 1839, the trio is known for its lyrical beauty, formal elegance, and technical brilliance. Its memorable themes and characteristic lightness—particularly in the fleet-footed scherzo—have made it a favorite among performers and audiences alike.

Together, these two works represent different facets of Romantic chamber music: Brahms’s introspective depth and dense textures alongside Mendelssohn’s melodic clarity and refined expressiveness.