“Sextet #1 in B flat Major, Second Movement” by Johannes Brahms

The third season of The Next Generation is rightly recognized as a turning point in the show. One example of this is the inclusion of Sarek, Spock’s father. Finally, the show had begun to embrace some of what had come before (Gene Roddenberry had been extremely resistant to this).

The episode “Sarek” focuses on the legendary diplomat’s final mission, during which he is hiding the effects of Bendii Syndrome—a degenerative condition that affects his ability to control his emotions.

The first signs of this appear during a concert where Sarek has an emotional reaction to the piece being performed, which is a string sextet by Johannes Brahms1.