Presents
Franz Krommer
String Quartet in C Major, Op.72 No.1-New Edition
Krommer's String Quartet in C Major, Op.72 No.1, the first of a set of three, was completed around 1813 and is firmly in his middle period which though still looking back at the Classical era, also looks forward to the early Romantic. His life spanned the Mannheim, Vienna Classical and early Romantic periods and his music evolved over time. In four movements, the opening Allegro starts off in an almost pedestrian style, but soon original and captivating Krommerian touches can be heard as the movement develops.The lovely second movement, Adagio, is one long lyrical song. Next coms a Haydnesque Menuetto, but the stormy and dramatic trio section is something Haydn would never have thought of. follows. The toe-tapping finale, Allegro vivace begins with the violins alone, soon the lower voices join in, and the music grows in excitement.
Franz Krommer (1759-1831) 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 the U.S. According to contemporaries, he was regarded along with Haydn as the leading composer of string quartets and as a serious rival of Beethoven. Krommer was a Czech 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. There are more than 300 compositions which were at one time or another published, much of which is chamber music. Wilhelm Altmann, in his Handbook for String Quartet Players writes that "Krommer knew how to write for string instruments and as a result what he wrote sounds brilliant."
Our new edition is based on the 1814 Pleyel edition. Not at all hard to play, even the first violin part should not be beyond the average amateur.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $31.95
