This second volume of Johannes Brahms: Complete Works for Viola continues Mikhail Zemtsov's deeply personal exploration of Brahms' late chamber music masterpieces—heard through the warm, human voice of the viola. Central to this album are works originally inspired by clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld. It features the Trio op. 114, the Quintet op. 115, the Two Songs op. 91, and the Scherzo from the FAE Sonata from a fresh tonal perspective—one that creates an intimate, unified string sound and reveals a depth of expression that sits beautifully with the viola. Particularly striking is Brahms' instinctive use of the viola's lowest register, drawing listeners immediately into a world of introspection, tenderness, and inner poetry. More than a musicological exercise, this recording is a deeply personal artistic statement born from Zemtsov's conviction that the viola shares a special affinity with Brahms' musical language. By bringing the instrument together with kindred voices—strings, piano, and the human voice—the album invites listeners to rediscover these iconic works as deeply vocal, sonically cohesive, and emotionally resonant creations. As the second chapter (volume 2) of a complete cycle honoring Brahms' legacy, this release offers not just an alternative version of familiar masterpieces but a compelling new perspective on their inner essence.





