The Best New Classical Albums of 2025
#15: Brahms Piano Quartets 2 & 3 with Krystian Zimerman and Friends
![Amazon.com: Brahms: Piano Quartets Nos. 2 & 3[2 LP]: CDs & Vinyl](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdOw!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F06374621-71cb-40dd-923b-56e34131785b_1000x1000.jpeg "Amazon.com: Brahms: Piano Quartets Nos. 2 & 3[2 LP]: CDs & Vinyl")
The Best New Classical Albums of 2025
Album #15
Johannes Brahms
Piano Quartets nos. 2 & 3
Krystian Zimerman, piano
Yuya Okamoto, cello
Maria Nowak, violin
Katarzyna Budnik-Gałązka, viola
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Released: April 4, 2025
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The acclaimed Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman is the starriest name on this new album of Brahms’ Piano Quartets 2 & 3, but in the interest of collaboration and what serves the music in the best way, Zimerman is by no means the center of attention on the recording. In any case, the presence of a big name such as Zimerman is no guarantee of greatness these days. Much of the effectiveness in a chamber music situation is down to the chemistry and melding of the musicians.