September 24, 2010
Friday-8:00pm | University of North Carolina School of Music Recital Hall
Classical Voice of North Carolina review>>>
Antonin Dvořák
String Quartet No.14 in A-flat major, Op. 105
Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro appassionato
Molto vivace
Lento e molto cantabile
Allegro ma non troppo
Fabian Lopez, violin
Marjorie Bagley, violin
Scott Rawls, viola
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Johannes Brahms
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60
Allegro ma non troppo
Scherzo
Andante
Finale: allegro
Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violin
Vladimir Feltsman, piano
Scott rawls, viola
Alexander Ezerman, cello
Sponsor
Program
Antonin Dvořák
String Quartet No.14 in A-flat major, Op. 105
Dvořák begun work on this quartet while in the United States, but he did not finish it until he returned to Bohemia in 1895. It was one of the composer’s final pieces of “absolute” (non-programmatic) music; most of his works were symphonic poems and opera, and followed a story or “program”. This was his last quartet, although his Thirteenth Quartet was published after it. It was first performed on October 20, 1896.
The quartet follows the standard four-movement arrangement common to many late 18th century and 19th century works. But what is unusual about the quartet is the use of the cello: a cello solo begins the piece, and fourth movement starts with some dramatic music before the lighter dance music begins.
Johannes Brahms
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60
Brahms’s first two piano quartets, Op. 25 and 26, came to the composer quite easily and were quite successful. But the third piano quartet was challenging for him to complete. In 1855-56, he drafted three movements, the key was C-sharp minor, and nobody seemed to like it – Brahms included. He returned to it again in 1869, in 1873-74, and finally in 1875. After ten years of contemplating the quartet, the finished work included movements written at various times: the opening movement from 1855-56, the scherzo from 1856-61, and the final two movements from 1875. Brahms’s comment on his composition of the piece was very apt: “the quartet has communicated itself to me only in the strangest ways.”
The first performance was in Vienna on November 18, 1875 with Brahms at the piano and members of the Hellmesberger Quartet.
After Hours with Dima!
Immediately following the Chamber concerts, join us at the Green Valley Grill Bar with Dmitry Sitkovetsky and the Chamber Concert Musicians.
Complimentary appetizers provided by the Green Valley Grill.
Sponsored by the O. Henry Hotel | 622 Green Valley Road
