Presents
Alexander Glazunov
String Quartet No.7 in C Major, Op.107
Glazunov remained in Russia after the Revolution and continued to serve as director of the Petersburg Conservatory as well as concertizing in clubs and workers associations. However, with the rise of Stalin, he finally decided to emigrate. After leaving Russia and settling in Paris, Glazunov composed two more works for string quartet. String Quartet No.7 in C Major was completed in 1930 and was dedicated to the famous Gordon String Quartet named after its leader Jacques Gordon. Each of the four movements has a subtitle: Remembrance of the Past, The Breath of Spring, In a Mysterious Forest and Russian Festival. The work begins with a substantial slow and somewhat sad Adagio introduction presented in fugal form with the cello in the lead. The main part of the movement, Allegro giocoso, is brighter with a lively main subject. The second movement, Breath of Spring an Andante, is lyrical and sweet. Though not so marked it is a set of variations. In a Mysterious Forest is an Allegro scherzando which conjures images of dancing forest sprites. The celebratory finale, Russian Festival, is richly scored and at times reaches an almost orchestral effect.
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) was born in St. Petersburg, the son of a wealthy book publisher. He began studying piano at the age of nine and started composing not long after. In 1879, he began studies with Rimsky- Korsakov. Glazunov’s progress was so fast that within two years, Korsakov considered Glazunov more of a junior colleague than a student. By 1895, Glazunov was widely regarded, both inside and out, as Russia’s greatest living composer. His works include symphonies, ballets, operas and seven string quartets in addition to various instrumental sonatas.
This is a major work which deserves concert performance and should also interest experienced amateurs.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $39.95
