Presents
Ludvig Norman
String Sextet in A Major, Op.18
Ludvig Norman (1831-1885) was born in Stockholm. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory shortly after it was founded by Mendelssohn. His composition teachers were Julius Rietz and Moritz Hauptmanna, his piano professor was Ignaz Moscheles. A prolific composer, he also enjoyed a career as a pianist, conductor and teacher. Among his many pupils was the prominent composer Elfrida Andrée. Norman composed in a wide variety of genres, and chamber music was an important part of his oeuvre, among which there are two piano trios, a piano quartet, a piano sextet, five string quartets, a string quintet, this string sextet and a string octet.
Ludvig Norman wrote his string sextet in 1854, making it one of the composer’s relatively young works. He had, however, already had a song cycle published back in 1843. While at the Leipzig Conservatory he came into contact with Robert Schumann whose encouragement was to play a highy influential role in his compositional ideas. The Sextet is in four movements. It begins with a slow introduction. Intensity builds and leads to the main part of the first movement, Allegro molto quasi presto. The main theme is initially presented by the first violin before the others join in. The second movement is a very expressive Andante. Later the rhythm plays as important a role as the thematic material. The third movement, a Schumannesque Scherzo with trio. The last movement has a slow opening passage not unlike that of the first movement. A virtuoso but lyrical Allegro ma non troppo then follows.
Long out of print and unavailable, we are pleased to present it once again. It is a welcome addition to the string sextet literature and deserves a chance to be heard in the concert hall and is also a good choice for amateurs.
Parts: $39.95
Parts & Score: $59.95
