Presents
Luigi Boccherini
String Quintet in D Major, Op.39 No.3, G.339-New Edition
For 2 Violins, Viola & 2 Cellos or 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello
The String Quintet in D Major, G.339 by Boccherini is the last of a set of three dating from 1787 and is among his better known quintets. What is unusual about this set, judging from his manuscript, is that that Boccherini intended these three quintets to be played by a cello and bass rather than two cellos. Also, each of these quintets came with an viola part which was a substitute for Cello I, allowing it to be played as a standard viola quintet. Unfortunately, the bass part to this quintet seems to have been lost. Unlike the first two quintets, this one is only in three movements and not in four movements. It opens with a very energetic Allegro vivo and is followed by a beautiful Pastorale. The finale, a Presto, is full of twists and turns. Opus numbers to Boccherini's works are pretty much meaningless. Different publishers published this work as Op.37 No.2 and Op.39 No.3. Only the G. number from Yves Girard's catalogue is accurate.
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.
This 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, 2 Violas & Cello-Parts | $29.95 |
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| (D) 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello-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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