Beethoven’s middle period masterwork, Op. 70 No. 2, is paired here with four later Viennese songs that draw attention to both its lyrical and virtuosic elements, while Brahms’ glorious B Major Trio showcases him as both a pioneering romantic and as a consummate master at the height of his powers. Unable to leave our listeners in the midst of Brahms’ stormy B minor finale, we end the program with Robert Schumann’s moving love song “Widmung,” written as a wedding gift for his wife, Clara.