Brahms was a prolific composer and wrote in a variety of genres. His compositions include instrumental, vocal, piano, chamber, concerto and symphonic works. For Brahms, whose personality was conservative and serious, songs reflected the gentleness and sensibility of his inner world. Therefore, Brahms wrote art songs stably and continuously across four periods of his whole life. In terms of the number of songs, Brahms’ preference for vocal quartets but not vocal duets was obviously because of greater vocal ranges and plentiful harmonies of vocal quartets. “Quartette”, op.92 was one of the most quintessential vocal quartets wrote in Brahms’ late years.

The thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 is the introduction on research purpose, research subject and research methods. Chapter 2 introduces concisely the phenomenon of vocal ensembles and choruses in the Romantic period in Germany-Austria territory, and also introduces how the changes of society in Germany-Austria territory alter the musical compositions and types of performing arts. Chapter 3 introduces Brahms’ compositional career and important works in each period. Chapter 4 introduces the musical characters of Brahms’ vocal quartets. Chapter 5 analyzes the compositional approaches of “Quartette”, op.92 in aspect of tone colors, keys, harmonies, rhythms, tempos, dynamics, textures, styles, the relation between texts and music, articulations, work-paintings and piano accompaniments. Chapter 6 provides suggestions of performance, interpretations and rehearsal techniques based on the results of analysis in chapter 5.