Presents
Friedrich Kalkbrenner
Septet A Major, Op.132
For Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Cello, Bass and Piano
Friedrich Kalkbrenner (1785-1849), a was one of the leading piano virtuosos of the first part of the 19th century. He studied at the Paris Conservatory with Louis Adam and composition in Vienna with Albrechtsberger and Salieri. He was on friendly terms with Haydn, Beethoven and Hummel. After leaving Vienna he pursued a career as a touring soloist. He also was a prolific composer, an inventor and piano manufacturer. He lived in London nearly 10 years before moving to Paris where he remained for the rest of his life. There, he became one of the leading piano teachers of the day and founder of a method which influenced such pianists as Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Saint-Saëns. Kalkbrenner was fond of saying that since the deaths of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Hummel, he was the last classical composer left.
The Septet in A Major, Op.132 appeared in 1835. The scoring is rather unusual with four wind instruments, bassoon, oboe, clarinet and horn and two string instruments, cello and bass. With no violins present, this meant that the treble line had to be entrusted to the oboe, clarinet and of course, the piano. The opening Allegro brillant from the opening chords keeps building up to something in a rather symphonic way before the piano finally introduces the lovely main subject which is taken up by the others in turn. The second movement, Andante, begins with winds and piano. The mood is rather sad and elegaic, and even funereal when the piano takes over. A boisterous Scherzo, Presto con fuoco, which follows provides a stark contrast to the somber Andante. The finale, Allegretto vivace, is high-spirited rondo with tinges of a Polacca.
We have reprinted the original 1835 edition and as was common for the time, the piano part is only the piano part and not a score. However, copious cues of the other voices are included in the piano part to help with performance.
Parts: $44.95
