Presents
Luigi Boccherini
String Quintet in F Major, Op.39 No.2, G.338-New Edition
For 2 Violins, Violas & 2 Cellos or 2 Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass
The Op.39 No.2 String Quintet by Boccherini is the second of a set of three dating from 1787 and is among his better known quintets, in part because it calls for a bass in place of the second cello, although it can also be performed by two cellos. It is in four movements. The charming opening movement, Allegro vivo, ma non presto, has a very catchy, upbeat dance-like tune for its main theme, which is rather memorable. Like much of his music, it is elegant and graceful. The second movement, Adagio non tanto, is on the sad side, but not funereal, Here pizzicati in the lower voices provide the rhythmic underpinning. Next comes a stately Menuetto which is interspersed with several quick allegro episodes. The rousing finale is also marked Allegro vivo, ma non presto and is full of energy.
Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) was born in the town of Lucca in northern Italy. He studied cello and became a virtuoso eventually moving to Spain where he took employment with the Spanish royal family for the rest of his life. Boccherini wrote more than 120 string quintets, most for two cellos rather than the usual two violas. Why was that, one might ask. The answer lies in the fact that Boccherini spent more than half his life at the Spanish court in a remote palace where he had but few musicians for whom to write. It explains why so much of his oeuvre is chamber music. Already on the staff of the Spanish Infante when he was hired was the Font family string quartet, a father and three sons. If Boccherini, a cellist, were to take part in the music he wrote, it would have to be a quintet for 2 cellos. It is extraordinary, given that he had no prior example to guide him, how well Boccherini's cello quintets turned out. With two cellos, no one cello has to fulfill the bass line at all times. He then uses this freedom to achieve an extraordinay balance between the instruments with all of the voices having solo opportunities.
The famous French violinist Jean Baptist Cartier is quoted as saying, "If God wanted to speak to men through music, he would do it through the works of Haydn, but if He Himself wishedto listen to music, He would chooseBoccherini." This quintet might well be an example of why Cartier made this remark. It is a good work with fine part-writing for all. The lovely, flowing melodies and rhythms are typical of Boccherini. It is suitable for both concert and home performance.
| (A) 2 Violins, Viola & 2 Cellos-Parts | $29.95 |
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| (B) 2 Violins, Viola & 2 Cellos-Parts & Score | $39.95 |
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| (C) 2 Violins, Viola & Cello and Bass-Parts | $29.95 |
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| (D) 2 Violins, Viola & Cello and Bass-Parts & Score | $39.95 |
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| (E) All Six Parts | $36.95 |
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| (F) All Six Parts & Score | $46.95 |
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