Presents
Luigi Boccherini
String Quintet in c minor, Op.37 No.1 or Op.51 No.2, G.377
For 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello or 2 Violins, Violas & 2 Cellos
You will notice that there are two sets of opus numbers given to this quintet. Unfortunately, the opus numbers to Boccherini’s works are entirely unreliable and have over the years caused tremendous confusion with different publishers giving the same work different opus numbers and in some cases different works received the same opus number. This was the case with this quintet, which was published by severl different firms. the only reliable number G.377 is the catalog number given by Boccherini's cataloger Yves Gerard. For much of the 19th century this was one of his more popular quntets. The opening movement as a lengthy, gripping Grave, molto lento introduction which leads to the main section an energetic Allegro assai. The second movement is a charming Andantino con innoceza. A rather typical Boccherinian Minuetto with no tempo marking follows. The finale, is almost, but not quite an exact repeat of the first movement, this time with a shorter Grave introduction followed by an exciting Allegro assai.
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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