Presents
Emanuel Aloys Förster
String Quartet in d minor, Op.21 No.2--New Edition
Emanuel Aloys Förster (1748-1823) was born in Niedersteine in the province of Silesia which at the time was part of the Austrian empire. Little is known of Förster’s musical training other than the fact that he was proficient on the organ, piano, violin, bass and oboe and that he began composing at an early age. From the several hundred works he composed, it appears that in his early works, he came under the influence of C.P.E. Bach. His later works show the influence of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Sometime around 1779, he arrived in Vienna where he remained for the rest of his life working as a teacher of piano and composition. He was also a frequent performer in various Viennese ensembles. He was on friendly terms with Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven among others, From the various concert program posters which survive from that era, we know that his string quartets, of which he wrote nearly 50, were often performed on programs with those of his more famous friends. For some reason only three sets of six quartets each were ever published, his Op.7 dedicated to the King of Prussia, his Op.16 and the last set his Op.21.
The Op.21 Quartets, which were published in Vienna appeared in print around 1803. Op.21 No.2 in d minor is the second of the set and only one of two in the minor. While one can hear the influence of Haydn, Förster's use of sudden forte accompaniment usually expressed with a series of pounding quick notes recalls the Sturm of Drang era symphonies of Haydn from the mid 18th century. Whether or not this was intentional, the effect is stunning. There is virtually nothing like it in the quartet literature from this period. The opening Allegro vivace is an excellent example of this. The movement opens with a diffident but lyrical melody in the first violin over a soft accompaniment. Then after it is fully stated, a storm breaks and the music sounds menacing and violent only to return to its original mood later. The second movement is a stately Andantino in the major, though not so marked, a theme and set of variations. Next comes a thrusting Viennese Minuetto in the minor with a nicely contrasting trio. The finale, a Haydnesque Allegro is lively and full of forward motion and another example of the Sturm und Drang technique.
Our new edition, carefully edited by Santo Neuenwelt, one of our senior editors, is based on the original and only edition published in Vienna by the Bureau des Arts et d'Industrie. This work would make an excellent choice for a concert program as a fresh replacement for the over performed Haydns and should also be of interest to amateurs.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $39.95
