The Pro Arte Piano Quartet was formed in 1989 by principal members of the renowned Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble in collaboration with pianist Hamish Milne. The Strad commented that “the quartet is a group that - with total musical assurance- quietly produces concerts of exceptional calibre”. A convincing case could be presented for Brahms’ three Piano Quartets being the greatest of all. Setting aside for the moment an early abandoned quartet in C sharp minor, these works were begun in the first years of Brahms’ maturity. Much has been made of their perfection of form and in this respect, they are certainly a step forward from the early piano sonatas but even though they withstand the most rigorous academic analysis it is surely their wonderful richness and variety of expression that makes them enduring masterpieces.