Presents
Gaetano Donizetti
String Quartet No.11 in C Major
Gaetano Donizetti's String Quartet No.11 in C Major dates from 1821 during a period his biographers refer to as his “Quartet Years”. He had left the conservatory in Bologna and was starting to earn a living as best he could. Frequently, he was asked to join amateur quartet groups and to bring something of his. Quartet No.11 begins with a lively Allegro. The second movement, Largo, is one, long cantilena. Next comes a typical Viennese Minuetto, follows and clearly shows he had learned from his teacher Simon Mayr, who exposed him to the Vienna Classics. The quartet concludes with an exciting Allegro.
Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) was born in Bergamo, Italy of humble origins. His father was an assistant at the village pawnshop. In 1806, at the age of 9, he was able to attend a charitable school and there met the then famous composer, Simone Mayr, who became his mentor and lifelong friend. Donizetti is well-known, of course, as a composer for the opera. However, many will be surprised to learn that he did write a fair amount of chamber music, including 18 string quartets, some string quintets, piano trios, and an octet for winds and strings along with several other instrumental works.
Certainly amateurs will enjoy playing this tuneful work which makes no technical demands on the players.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $31.95
