The Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 26, by
Johannes Brahms is scored for piano, violin, viola and cello. It was completed in 1861 and received its premiere in November 1863 by the Hellmesberger Quartet with the composer playing the piano part. It has been especially noted for drawing influence from composer
Franz Schubert. Lasting approximately 50 minutes, this quartet is the longest of Brahms's chamber works to perform. He also made an arrangement of this quartet for two pianos.
The first movement is in sonata form.
The second movement is in rondo form.
The third movement is a scherzo and trio in compound ternary form, where both the scherzo and the trio are in sonata form.
The fourth movement is in sonata-rondo form.
