Presents
Charles Gounod
String Quartet in C Major, CG. 561
Charles Gounod (1818-1893) cannot be called an unknown composer, not at least to fans of the opera. But not many chamber music aficionados are aware that he composed five string quartets. None were published during his lifetime and the String Quartet in a minor CG.564 was the only one to receive a performance while he was alive. Shortly after his death, it was published as his No.3. The others were presumed lost. Nearly 80 years later, in in the late 1970s, not two but four were discovered in manuscript form. One of these was numbered No.3, which has now created considerable confusion.
Based on an article written by Saint Saens describing his visit to Gounod a few years before Gounod's death in the early 1890s, we know that Gounod had composed several string quartets. During his visit, Saint Saens asked Gounod what he had been up to and Gounod replied writing string quartets. However, Gounod refused to show them to Saint Saens and the manuscripts to all but the so-called No.3 in a minor disappeared. After surfacing in the late 1970s, they were eventually acquired by the Library of Congress in whose possession they remain. Our edition is based on the manuscript found there. For a while it was assumed that all of these quartets had been composed sometime in the early 1890s, around the time of Saint Saens’ visit to Gounod. That may be the case for some but not for the quartet in C Major CG.561 which has been known as the Petit Quatour. The reason being that on the manuscript, along with the words Petit Quatuor, were written the names of the dedicatees, members of the then well known Armingaud Quartet which disbanded in 1876, hence dating the quartet most likely from the early 1870s. The work begins with a somber Adagio introduction in c minor before giving way to the genial main section, Allegro, in C Major. The second movement is a very romantic Andante. A Mendelssohnian Scherzo comes next with two contrasting trios. The finale, Allegro vivace, could well be called La Chase as it is a quick and bumptious ride across a musical countryside. Though Gounod called it a petite quartet, it is in fact not petite but a standard length work
Charles Gounod, born in Paris on June 18, 1818 was the son of a talented but unsuccessful painter who died when Gounod was four. Gounod's mother, also an artist, kept up his father's classes while also giving music lessons. Gounod displayed a talent in both art and music. He began composing at the age of twelve, and left art in favor of music by the age of thirteen. Entering the conservatory in 1836, Gounod was highly successful. He won the coveted Prix de Rome three years later and developed a keen interest in that city. He discovered and began a serious study of 16th century sacred music. The beauty of the sacred music prompted Gounod to lifelong religious interests, and he had difficultly deciding between entering the church and continuing with secular music. In 1843, he returned to Paris. Gounod acknowledged that opera was the only field that led to success for a French composer and made his Operatic debut in 1850. Today he is remembered for Faust which appeared in 1856 and had an incredible influence upon French musical thought.
This quartet makes no pretenses at profundity or at plumbing the depths of emotion, yet it is very appealing, full of Gallic wit and charm, and fun to play.
Parts: $24.95
