Presents
Franz Krommer
String Quartet in D Major, Op.92 No.1
Krommer's String Quartet in D Major, Op.92 No.1 is the first of a set dating from 1816. Krommer, who was by then nearly 60, while still writing in what could be considered the late Viennese Classical style, nevertheless, had advanced his style in several ways. His ideas remained fresh and often original and always well executed. The opening movement, Allegro vivace, begins in canonic fashion. Rather than developing it, Krommer introduces new idea after new idea. A gentle Andante follows. Here Krommer creates a lulling sense of calm with a series of repeating 8th notes. The Menuetto, allegretto which comes next is more a scherzo than a minuet. The finale, Moderato, begins is stately fashion with a downward series of notes providing the main theme from which Krommer builds several exciting episodes.
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."
We have reprinted an early edition, which is clean and, for its time, easy to read. We feel this makes a good concert piece and a work which amateurs will also enjoy.
Parts: $24.95
