Presents
Gaetano Donizetti
String Quartet No.5 in e minor
Donizetti's String Quartet No. 5 in e minor was composed during 1818-1819 while he was still studying at the Bolognese Conservatory. The opening Allegro is quite dramatic and one can hear a link to the overtures to some of his operas from this period. The second movement, Larghetto, conveys an uneasy sense of restlessness over the cello’s ostinato. Next comes a Minuetto, marked presto. No one is going to dance to this. It is a rather exciting almost military style march. The finale,Allegro agitato, again has a dramatic, even operatic quality
Donizetti (1797-1848) was born in Bergamo, Italy of humble origins. His father was an assistant at the village pawnshop. In 1806, at the age of 9, he was able to attend a charitable school and there met the then famous composer, Simone Mayr, who became his mentor and lifelong friend. Donizetti is well-known, of course, as a composer for the opera. However, many will be surprised to learn that he did write a fair amount of chamber music, including 18 string quartets, some string quintets, piano trios, and an octet for winds and strings along with several other instrumental works.
Parts $24.95
