The Sextet in B-flat major was already judged to be “one of the most beautiful works by this young composer” after its initial performances in early 1861. It was popular with both public and press, and has retained this status to the present day. The publisher Simrock was so impressed by it that he accepted Brahms’s suggestion that he should publish a score of it alongside the individual parts – something that was by no means usual at the time. The numerous differences between these two first editions of 1861 continue to present problems to Brahms researchers today. Brahms specialist Katrin Eich has already taken on the task of editing the work for the Brahms Complete Edition, and this new Urtext edition provides the best possible musical text for performance. Naturally, it is available in both score and parts.