Presents
Franz Krommer
String Quartet in B flat Major, Op.56 No.1--New Edition
Franz Krommer's String Quartet in B flat Major, Op.56 No.1 is the first of a set of three, dedicated to the Polish Count Stanislas de Ankwicz, which were composed around 1804 but only published in 1806 by the Magasin de l'imprimerie chimque, one of Vienna's leading publishing houses. The opening Allegro vivace begins with three unisono quarter notes before the first violin gives off the first theme which is a series of running 8th notes. This in turn is passed from voice to voice. The music is characterized by its strong rhythms. The second movement Adagio, features a long-lined stately melody, suitable for a deliberate somber procession. The Menuetto, allegretto which comes next features the continued use of a grace note throughout. A contrasting trio follows. The finale Andante, allegretto begins with a powerful pulsing drumbeat in the three lower voices over which the first violin plays an upbeat and quite lively subject.
Franz Krommer (1759-1831) was born in town of Kamnitz then part of the Habsburg Austrian Empire (today Kamenice in the Czech Republic) It had a mixed population of Germans and Czechs and though baptized František Vincenc Kramář by the time he was 15, Krommer began using the Germanized version of his name for the rest of his life, the name by which he beame known to the world. Krommer was one of the most successful composers in Vienna at the turn of the 18th Century. His reputation was attested to by the fact that his works were frequently republished throughout Germany, England, France, Italy, Scandinavia and even the United States. According to several contemporary sources he was regarded with Haydn as the leading composer of string quartets and as a serious rival of Beethoven. Krommer was a violinist of considerable ability who came to Vienna around 1785. For the following 10 years he held appointments at various aristocratic courts in Hungary. He returned to Vienna in 1795 where he remained until his death, holding various positions including that of Court Composer (Hofmusiker) to the Emperor, Franz I, an enthusiastic quartet player. He was the last composer to hold this august title and one of his duties was accompanying the Emperor on his various campaigns so that he could relax in the evenings playing quartets. There are more than 300 compositions which were at one time or another published, much of which is chamber music. He wrote more than 70 string quartets, 35 quintets, perhaps as many as 15 string trios, but also several works for winds and strings. Of Krommer's string quartets, the famous chamber music critic Wilhelm Altmann, in his Handbook for String Quartet Players writes, “Krommer knew how to write for string instruments and as a result what he wrote sounds brilliant."
Our new edition is based on the original Vienna edition of 1806 and was edited by senior editor Santo Neuenwelt, With its many charming features, it is suitable both for concert and home music makers.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $38.95
