Presents
Charles Lefebvre
String Quartet No.1 in g minor, Op.80
Charles Lefebvre’s String Quartet No.1 in g minor dates from 1891. It is in three substantial movements, Allegro moderato, Intermezzo scherzando, allegro, Un peu retenez and Allegro agitato (Appassionato). It enjoyed considerable popularity, was partially responsible for his winning the 1895 Chartier Prize and was made into several arrangements. The opening Allegro begins with a slow introduction with a short violin cadenza leading to the turbulent main section filled with many tempo changes and mo0ds. The middle movement is a lively scherzo. An energetic and thrusing Allegro agitato concludes the work.
Charles Lefebvre (1843-1917) was born in Paris. After initially studying law, he entered the Paris Conservatory where he studied with Ambroise Thomas and Charles Gounod. While there, he won the prestigious Prix de Rome, the stipendium to which allowed him to live in Italy for several years. He composed in virtually every genre and chamber music comprises a sizeable portion of his output and was held in high regard as witnessed by the fact that the Academie des Beaux Arts awarded him their Prix Chartier for chamber music excellence on two occasions in 1884 and 1895. He served for several years as Professor of Ensemble Performance at the Conservatory.
This is an excellent exemplar of the late French Romantic era which eschews, as does the music of his contemporary Saint Saens, the influence of the Impressionists. It deserves concert performance but is also a good choice for amateur groups as it is not at all difficult to play.
Parts: $24.95
