Presents
Richard Thiele
Soundbites
2nd Movt Lott ist todt (Lott is dead)
3rd Movt Wenn der Topf aber nun ein Loch hat (What if the pot now has a hole)
4th Movt Wenn der Hund mit der Wurst When the dog seizes the sausage
String Quartet No.2 in the Comic Style, Op.39
Richard Thiele (1847-1903) was born in Berlin. His initial music lessons were from his father Siegfried a composer and organist. Subsequent studies were in Berlin and Leipzig. He made his career as a theater director and composer. Between 1880 and 1900 his comic operettas were amongst the most popular in the German-speaking world. He is generally recognized as the greatest composer of Bieroper (beer operas), a kind of comic opera performed in operetta theaters and German student associations. Several are still freuquently performed, including Rinaldo Rinaldini, Tannhäuser in Purgatory a parody of Wagner's opera which features 22 student and popular folksongs. Perhaps his most famous work is the march Stolz weht die Flagge Schwarz-Weiss-Rot (The black, white and red flag waved proudly) which comes from his Singspiel Unser Marine (Our Navy). It is one of the most famous marches ever written and regularly performed by military bands all over the world from Japan, to Europe to America. Thiele was also one of the most assiduous collectors of German comic Volkslieder (folksongs), which he not only used in his operettas but also in his three string quartets in the comic style. These are classically conceived and finely written works.
String Quartet No.2 was composed in 1881. The first movement, Andantino, is a theme and three variations based on the folksong Eduard and Kunigunde. Eduard brings his beloved Kunigunde the sad news that he has lost all his money and has not a penny to his name. Melodramatically, Eduard tells Kunigunde he must take leave of her and this life rather than living a life of poverty. She agrees to join him. It is not a sad tale but one of two foolish people who need not have taken this action. The second movement, Marcia funebre, is based on the folksong Lott ist todt (Lott is dead), It is a popular jolly but macabre folksong which is danced to a lively polka. It is sung by children who are very happy. The first verse goes Lott is dead this is good, Julie is dying, this is good, we will get something to inherit. Thiele turns it into a bizarre funeral march complete with an operatic aria in the middle before the march returns. The third movement is a very short Menuet based on the theme Wenn der Topf aber nun ein Loch hat (what if the pot has a hole in it) This popular folksong begins What if the pot has a hole dear Heinrich / Then plug it up dear Liese / But how shall I plug it dear Heinrich / With straw dear Liese with straw and so forth. Though short, it is to be played 6 times starting pp, then mp, then mf, then ff, then mf, finally pp. This is to create the effect of strolling musicians approaching from a distance, then coming very close and then departing into the distance. The finale is a lively Allegro based on the folksong Wenn der Hund mit der Wurst (When the dog has the sausage) This is a nonsense folksong which begins When the dog jumps over the spitoon with the sausage / And the stork in the air devours the frog.
If you are not beyond enjoying a superbly written work based on humorous German folksongs, you can do no better than this fine quartet. Fun to play, not at all hard and surprisingly effective in the concert hall.
Parts: $19.95
