Presents
Adolphe Blanc
String Quartet No.4 in E Major, Op.53
Adolphe Blanc (1828-1885) was born in the French town of Manosque. His musical talent was recognized early and he entered the Paris Conservatory at age 13 first taking a diploma in violin and then studying composition with the then famous composer Fromental Halevy. Although for a time, he served as a music director of a Parisian theater orchestra, he primarily devoted himself to composing and most of his works were for chamber ensembles. During his lifetime, these works were much appreciated by professionals and amateurs alike and in 1862 he won the prestigious Chartier Chamber Music Prize. Besides the fact that his works are pleasing and deserving of performance, Blanc's historical importance cannot be underestimated. He was one of the very few in France trying to interest the public, then with only ears for opera, in chamber music. He paved the way for the success of the next generation of French composers.
String Quartet No.4 in E Major dates 1876. It was his lanst string quartet and dedicated to the Musicians Society of Geneva. The first movement, Allegro vivo, begins with an upbeat theme first played in unison and then a dialogue between the first violin and cello ensues as the music proceeds with snippets of the theme passed from voice to voice. The second movement, Canzonetta, andante, has a slinky melody played over pizzicato in the cello and long accompaniment in the inner voices. Next comes an Intermezzo in place of a scherzo. But it is a very unusual intermezzo, featuring long running passages which give the music a restless excitement. The finale, Allegretto, begins in a rather relaxed fashion that one rarely associates with a final movement. Here, one finds much intricate interwoven thematic ideas, especially as the tempo picks up.
This charming work, composed by a man who spent most of his life performing in chamber music ensembles can be highly recommended to amateur ensembles.
Parts: $24.95
