Presents
Franz Xaver Gebel
String Quintet No.8 in B flat Major, Op.27--New Edition
For 2 Violins, Viola & 2 Cellos
Franz Xaver Gebel (1787-1843) was born in the Silesian town of Furstenau not far from the provincial capital of Breslau. Not a great deal is known about his life prior to his emigration to Moscow in 1817, where he spent the rest of his life. It is known, however, that prior to this, he had studied composition with the Abbe Vogler and Johann Albrechtsberger in Vienna, It is also known that he served as a director of prominent theaters in Vienna and Lemberg before to departing for Moscow, where he was lured by the promise of a high paying job. By this time, he had already composed several operas, some string quartets and works for winds. In Moscow, Gebel worked as a teacher as well as an orchestra director. Among his many students was Nicolai Rubinstein. During his Moscow years, he composed four symphonies, operas, many songs, several string quartets and eight string quintets, all for two violins, viola and two cellos. In Russia, he made a considerable name for himself and his works were respected and often performed. Borodin praised and was particularly fond of the string quintets, often playing the second cello parts. Glinka also praised Gebel’s chamber music as did the famous violinist Heinrich Ernst.
Although the quintets were thought to be composed between 1830 and 1842, String Quintet No.8 was not published until 1862, some 20 years after the composer's death. The first seven were published by the Russian publisher Lehnhold but this quintet was published by the German firm of Schuberth in Hamburg. It is thought that the virtuoso cellist and composer Carl Schuberth (1811-1863) was instrumental in bringing this work to his music publisher brother's attention. Carl was active in Russia and not only knew Gebel but also had performed several of his quintets in concert.
The first movement, Allegro agitato, does not begin in a very agitato fashion. But after some opening pizzicatti, a rather upbeat and playful main theme is brought forth. It is buoyant and appealing, at times quite lyrical. The melody is nicely handled and passed from voice to voice. An even more playful second theme recalls Italian light opera music. The second movement, Adagio espressivo, begins rather lugubriously with a somewhat dark and brooding funereal melody. Next comes an energetic, almost frantic, nervous and heavily accented Scherzo allegro. The finale begins with a lengthy, ominous Andante introduction which serves to build tension. But the main section, Allegro, though one might have expected a stormy, turbulent affair, is actually a triumphant, jovial march.
This is a first rate work. A quintet which makes a fine addition to the repertoire of quintets for two cellos. In the concert hall it will delight audiences and will make an excellent selection for groups planning an evening of cello quintets. Our edition is based on the original by Lehnhold, but we have added rehearsal numbers and corrected errors.
Parts: $29.95
