Presents
Ruperto Chapi
String Quartet No.3 in D Major-New Edition
Ruperto Chapi (1851-1909) was born in the Valencian town of Villena. After studying locally, he entered the Madrid Conservatory subsequently winning a scholarship to study in Paris. Along with Tomas Breton, Chapi is the best known composer of Zarzuela, Spanish light opera. In 1903 Chapi started composing his four string quartets. This was no accident. Throughout the 19th century, few Spanish composers devoted themselves to chamber music, largely due to the fact that there were no local chamber music ensembles. This changed with the formation of the Cuarteto Frances in 1901 in Madrid. This group actively encouraged and comissioned Spanish composers to write quartets. Soon there were works by Breton, Turina, del Campo and Chapi.
Chapi's String Quartet No.3 in D Major dates from 1905. Whereas in the first two quartets, Chapi emphasized Spanish dance rhythms and melodies, this work has a more international feel, especially showing some influence of developments taking place in France. The first movement opens hesitatingly with a short Grave introduction, with a start-stop, start-stop, rather like someone learning how to drive a stick shift auto. The main section, Allegro assai, is restless and full of forward motion. There are echoes of Cesar Franck. The second movement is marked Intermezzo but in reality it is a thrusting scherzo. Here, the melodies sound Spanish but the rhythms do not. Next comes a Larghetto which sounds rather like Debussy although it is unlikely that Chapi would have heard much of Debussy's work at this point. The finale, Allegro vivaci, is full of tempo changes, excitement and many original touches making a very good conclusion to the work.
Chapi has produced another original and very interesting work. It should be definitely be a candidate for concert performance and can also be recommended to experienced amateur players. Long out of print and unavailable, our editors, Peter Lang and Russell Bartoli have created a new edition from the score.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $39.95
