Presents
Franz Krommer
String Quintet No.22 in G Major, Op.100 No.3
For 2 Violins, 2 Violas and Violoncello
Franz Krommer's String Quintet No.22 in G Major, Op.100 No.3 was the third of a famous set completed in 1819 when he was 60 years old. It was dedicated to his friend, the Emperor of Austria Franz I, with whom he regularly played string quartets and quintets. Like so much of his music, it is full of catchy melodies, unusual use of rhythm and original touches, which make it easy to see why his music was immensely popular during his lifetime and was known throughout Europe and even as far away as the United States. The first movement, an Allegro moderato, features a deliberate, heavily accented downward scale as its main theme. The second subject, has a touch of the storm and drang to it and is also is quite rhythmic. The second movement, Adagio, though not so marked, is a theme and set of variations. In the Scherzo which comes third, a downward, accented passage is again the main theme. The trio section, melodically provides a good contrast but is also quite accented. The last movement is simply marked Finale with no tempo indication, but it is clearly a lively Mozartean allegro, full of appealing chromaticism.
"Franz Krommer's String Quintets are sure to please those chamber music players seeking something new and fresh from the classical era. They can be recommended for concert performance as well as to amateur enthusiasts."----Wilhelm Altmann writing in his Chamber Music Handbook
Franz Krommer (1759-1831) was born in town of Kamnitz then part of the Habsburg Austrian Empire (today Kamenice in the Czech Republic) A violinist of the first rank, he moved to Vienna in the 1780's and became was one of its most successful composers by the turn of the 18th Century. According to several contemporary sources he was regarded with Haydn as the leading composer of string quartets and as a serious rival of Beethoven. Such was the universal high regard in which he was held that he was appointed 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.
Parts: $29.95
