Presents
Carl Arnold
Sextet in f minor, Op.23
For Piano, 2 Violins, Viola Cello & Bass
Carl Arnold (1794-1873) was born in in the German town of Neunkirchen in Baden-Wurttemberg. He studied piano and composition with Aloys Schmitt, house composer for the famous Andre publishing firm of Offenbach. When his father died, Johann Offenbach adopted Arnold and provided the funds for his education and then entrée into some of the most important houses of the nobility in various cities. For several years he pursued a career as a touring concert pianist, spending long periods in Warsaw, St Petersburg and Berlin. In 1848, he moved to the Norwegian capital Christiania (now Oslo) where he lived for the rest of his life working as a conductor, teacher and composer. Johan Svendsen was among his many students. A very successful composer of songs, Arnold did write some chamber music including a string quartet and a piano sextet.
The Piano Sextet in f minor, Op.23 was composed in 1823 while he was living in Berlin and acting a composer to the Prussian Court. In four movements, It opens with a substantial, ominous introduction, Adagio non troppo, which leads to the main section, a turbulent and exciting Allegro con fuoco. The second movement, Andante, is a kind of song with out words. Next comes a very Beethovian Allegro con spirito, which though not so marked clearly is an energetic bounding scherzo. The finale, Allegro agitato, is full of vigor and forward motion.
Parts: $44.95
