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Music on Thursdays - Online

Thursday 13th May 2021

String Quartets

Available: from Thursday 13th May

Guest host: Lynda Chang
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Programme

String Quartets

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
from String Quartet No 62 in C major 'Emperor' Op76 No 3 (1797)
    II Poco adagio, cantabile    rather slow, song-like 


Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
from String Quartet No 1 in D  (1871)
    II Andante cantabile    gentle walking speed, songlike



Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)
from String Quartet No 1 in E minor  'From my Life'  (1876)
    I Allegro vivo appassionato    fast, lively and passionate


Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
from String Quartet No 14 'Death and the Maiden' (1824)
    I Allegro    fast


Joseph Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
from String Quartet in F major  M35 (1902-03)
    II Assez vif, très rhythmé    fairly fast, very rhythmical



AGGIUNTIVO    EXTRA


Maurice Ravel
String Quartet in F major M35 (1902-03)
    I    Allegro moderato, tres doux    moderately fast, very soft
    II   Assez vif, très rythmé    fairly fast, very rhythmical
    III  Très lent    very slow
    IV  Vif et agité    lively and restless


Concert duration: 45 minutes
Ravel Extra: 28 minutes
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We need your help to fund our concerts

recorded 'as live' by professional musicians
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String Quartets

Greetings,

String quartets are not everyone's cup of tea.  For a long time, they were not mine.  And for me, there was no single Damascene moment.  What happened, over time, was that my fondness for the orchestral sound led me to appreciate the pared down essence that was the string quartet.  And of course, there was the phenomenal repertoire.

A string quartet is made up of  2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello.  Haydn was the first major composer to write for this combination of instruments - something which happened quite by chance when he, as an 18 year-old budding composer, was asked to write something for the instruments available at a particular gathering.  The outcome was so well received that he carried on composing for this set-up, eventually leaving a legacy of almost 70 string quartets, considered by many to be gems of the genre.  Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert all loved the format and created great works that have stood the test of time.

Most string quartets have four movements in the 'normal' sequence of  fast / slow / dance-like / fast.  The format of our online programme restricts me to introducing only one movement of each work in succession.  Otherwise, one single composition would take over the entire concert.  I really hope that those of you who are moved by one or other of the works will go in search of their full-length version - so many are available on youtube.

I will start with the grandfather of string quartets. The Emperor.

Composed by Haydn in 1797 as a birthday anthem to the Hapsburg Emperor, Francis II, the tune was adopted as Austria's national anthem for more than a century.  With a different set of words, it later became the German national anthem from 1922 on.

This movement uses the Emperor tune, which is where the quartet's nickname came from.  Its 'theme and variations' format features each instrument playing the theme in turn with the others providing various decorative and counter melodies in support.
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
from String Quartet No 62 in C major 'Emperor'
Op76 No 3 (1797)
II Poco adagio, cantabile  rather slow, song-like     (7m25)


performed live by the Veridis Quartet
Yoonhee Lee  • Laura Liu, violins
Stephen Laraia, viola  •  Daniel Mitnitsky, cello
in the Jordan Hal of the New England Conservatory,
Boston Massachusetts, in May 2013
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The melody of this second movement is based on a folk tune.  It is said that, on hearing it at a tribute concert for him, Tolstoy was so moved that he burst into tears.  I am knocked out by it every time, but even more so when it is delivered by an outstanding ensemble.

This performance by the Borodin Quartet is meltingly beautiful.  It is sweet and simple, glorious and haunting.  Most of all, it is a perfect illustration of the unanimity of a single mind in quartet playing - a feat that differentiates the good from the superb.

When I hear quartet playing of this calibre, it always brings to mind Vikram Seth's novel, An Equal Music (1999).  This examines in microscopic and loving detail the mechanics and relationships involved in the shared crafting of music among four people.

Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
from String Quartet No 1 in D  (1871)
II Andante cantabile  gentle walking speed, songlike  (7m18)


performed by the Borodin Quartet

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Smetana completed this work after he became deaf - a condition that did not stop him composing during his final years.  Each movement is a biographical sketch from parts of his life, describing youth, joy, passion, as well as his fast developing deafness.  He is revered in his own country as the 'Father of Czech music', supplanting Dvořák - whose music is better known internationally.

This performance by the Pavel Hass Quartet is dramatic, exciting, and full of colour.  The video is clearly directed by someone with less interest in the music and musicians than his own craft.  But the performance is definitely worth listening to.  Perhaps with eyes firmly closed.

Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)
from String Quartet No 1 in E minor  'From my Life'  (1876)
I Allegro vivo appassionato  fast, lively and passionate (8m23)


performed by the Pavel Haas Quartet:
Veronika Jarůšková, 1st violin  •  Marek Zwiebel, 2nd violin
Pavel Nikl, viola  •  Pater Jarůšek, cello
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When Schubert first realised in 1824 that he was suffering from syphilis (and therefore dying), he sat down and produced two memorable string quartets.  Whilst the 'Rosamunde' quartet is an essentially melancholy work, 'Death and the Maiden' reflects a welter of emotions - from shock and anger to despair and poignant memories of the beauty of life.

The title 'Death and the Maiden' comes from a song that he had written in 1817 whose melody becomes the main theme of the second movement.  The song sets out the maiden's fear of death and the comforting words from Death itself.  I have chosen to play the first movement for its driving, compelling drama and moments of lyricism which, thus juxtaposed, come with a bitter sweetness.

I'm sorry that the following recording is audio only.  My justification lies in the quality of the performance from the Takacz Quartet.  The stark unison opening is like an anguished cry from the heart with the Takacz convincing us of the depth of this emotion without ever losing sight of the beauty of the music.

Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
from String Quartet No 14 'Death and the Maiden' (1824)
I Allegro  fast       (15m13)
 

performed by the Takács Quartet:
Gábor Takács-Nagy  •  Károly Schranz  violins
Gabor Ormai, viola  •  Andras Fejér, cello
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Ravel composed only one string quartet and this was at the age of 28.  For me, this is one of the most beautiful works in the repertoire.  Compared with the others that we have listened to so far this music is unmistakably French in its delicacy, sensuousness and kaleidoscopic changes of colour through harmony and articulation.

I have purposely chosen the second movement which begins and ends with extensive pizzicato  - that is, the strings are plucked, not bowed.  This, together with strumming (unheard of in the Teutonic tradition), create an amazing sense of fleet-of-foot excitement.

Joseph Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
from String Quartet in F major  M35 (1902-03)
II Assez vif, très rhythmé   fairly fast, very rhythmical (6m00)


performed by the Emerson String Quartet

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AGGIUNTIVO    EXTRA


For those who feel sufficiently inspired, here is the link for the whole work performed by the Emerson Quartet.  I promise you an exhilarating listening experience.
Maurice Ravel
String Quartet in F major M35 (1902-03)   (28m)
I    Allegro moderato, tres doux    moderately fast, very soft
II   Assez vif, très rythmé    fairly fast, very rhythmical
III  Très lent    very slow
IV  Vif et agité    lively and restless


performed by the Emerson String Quartet
Finally, I must apologise to those who have searched in vain for something by Beethoven whose string quartets undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of the genre.  But that's it really - how could I possibly choose one or even two examples when so much of it is impossibly awesome and intellectually challenging?

I hope you have enjoyed today's offerings nevertheless.
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We hope you have enjoyed Lynda Chang's String Quartets Selection for Music on Thursdays

Lynda is our host again next Thursday when her subject

will be the music of Stravinsky


We continue with these weekly video selection concerts until the end of June
with hopes of going live at Leatherhead Methodist Church from July 1st

The first Thursday in June will be a special 'as live' recording for Music on Thursdays

3rd June:  Iñigo Mikeleiz Berrade, accordion

comments welcome:  [email protected]
▼ last week's 'as live' recording ▼
▼ next week's selection ▼ (not yet active)
Stravinsky & Disney - a match made in heaven ?

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We need your help to fund our concerts recorded 'as live' by professional musicians
► Did you listen ?

►Did you remember to give afterwards ?

Here is a further chance to do so

If the concerts cover their costs we will be able to do more.

Please donate now !

Many thanks to those who have donated already.
You set us all a great example !
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These eight concert recordings for Leatherhead
remain online

click on the buttons below to Listen (and watch) Again

and please tell your friends about them too !


May 6th
Buck Brass
trumpet • horns • trombone
Gabrieli  •  Brahms
Thomas Adams   •  Steven Verhelst
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger
Glazunov  •  Mozart

Apr 1st
Ibrahim Aziz
treble, bass & Renaissance viols
Diego Ortiz ♦ Rebecca Rowe ♦ Tobias Hume
Bach ♦ Le Sieur de Machy ♦ Telemann
Le Sieur de Sainte-Colombe ♦ Carlos Martínez Gil

Feb 25th
Thomas Ang
piano
Bülow ♦ Liszt ♦ Amy Beach
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Oct 29th
Phil Hopkins
chromatic harmonica
Stuart Whatton
piano

Oct 22nd
Carmenco

flute, voice &
2 guitars

Oct 15th

organist

Marion Bettsworth

Oct 8th

Diphonon
viola &
accordion
Duo

Oct 1st
pianist

Eddie Lee's

Jazz on Thursday
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Never miss a concert . . .

Our weekly* newsletter tells you about upcoming concerts and other local music events

*weekly - only during the weekly concert season, occasional at other times
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Concert Selections Still Available

for your listening on this Website:

Please click on a title to go to the concert webpage
• Marina Kan's 2020 AGM Piano Concert

• Concert for St George's Day and Shakespeare's Birthday

• Music on May Day

• Music for VE Day 75th Anniversary

• Piano à Deux - Linda Ang Stoodley & Robert Stoodley, 4 hands on 1 piano

• Clocks & Cathedrals (musical clocks, that is)

• Guitars & Friends - a guitar medley

• Beethoven & Haydn String Quartets

• Cello Tango - from solos to multi cellists

• Organs of Paris  ♥ Les Orgues de Paris

• Flute Fest

• Virtual Viola, hosted by Lynda Chang

• Multi Piano - pianos from two to 12 at a time

• From Sackbutt to Trombone

• Harp Haven - our President's 100th Birthday Concert

• Oboe Omnibus

• Gentle Guitar

• Music for Unusual Instruments

• Viola da Gamba, hosted by Ibrahim Aziz

• Music & the Military

• Choral Music

• Clarinet Compilation, hosted by Lynda Chang

• The Voice, hosted by Lynda Chang

• Beethoven 250, hosted by Peter Horsfield

• Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Diphonon viola & accordion Duo - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Marion Bettsworth & organ of St Michael's Highgate - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• CarmenCo - Carmen's Story in flute, voice & guitars - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Phil Hopkins, harmonica, Stuart Whatton, piano,
            From JS Bach to film music composer John Barry - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Musical Fireworks - a musical selection

• Music of the Musicals up to 1960 - a musical selection

• Thomas Ang's 2021 AGM Piano Concert - recorded as Live for Music on Thursdays

• Vivaldi 343rd Birthday Selection - hosted by Peter Steadman

• Saint-Saëns Centenary Selection - hosted by Peter Horsfield

• Music for the Lute - hosted by Lynda Chang

• Musicals 1960 to 1990 - hosted by Peter Steadman

• Ibrahim Aziz plays Renaissance viol, treble viol, bass viol - recorded 'as live'

• Music for Royal Weddings Selection - hosted by Peter Steadman

• Albinoni 350 Selection - hosted by Peter Steadman
 
• Yehudi Menuhin 105th Anniversary - hosted by Lynda Chang

• Sexual Intrigue in Opera - hosted by Liz Barnes

• Buck Brass  Trio/Quartet - trumpet, horns, trombone - recorded 'as live'
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Visit the making music channel on youtube

You will find lots of music videos recorded during lockdown

click on the logo
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