Presents
Friedrich Dotzauer
Grand Quartet in E flat Major, Op.130
For Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass
Encouraged by his father to pursue a musical career, Johann Justus Friedrich Dotzauer (1783-1860) studied the piano and violin before eventually choosing the cello as his main instrument. His talent was clear to all early on and he began giving concerts by the time he was fifteen. A few years later, he was serving as a cellist in the court orchestra of Meiningen. Eventually he was able to obtain the prestigious position of solo cellist in the Royal Orchestra at Dresden. His playing dazzled all who heard it, and his skills as a teacher resulted in what became known as the "Dresden school" of cello performance. He concertized to much acclaim throughout Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France, continuing to perform in public right up until his retirement in 1850. Many of his students became famous cellists in their own right and include such names as Friedrich Grützmacher, Bernhard Cossmann and Julius Goltermann. Dotzauer's compositions for the cello are still performed by cellists and his pedagogical writings for the cello are frequently used in the classroom, however his many excellent compositions in other genres, including his Grand String Quartet in E flat Major, Op.130, have sadly fallen into oblivion. But, in his day, this was not the case. A prominent music critic writing in the prestigious Leipzig music periodical, the Allgemeiner musicalische Zeitung, wrote, "In this concert we also heard a new work by Dotzauer. The mere mention of the name of this excellent composer is enough to insure those among the public who truly under stand art that the work was a resounding success.”
Dating from 1833, the Grande Quatour was dedicated to Adolphus Duke of Cambridge, the 7th son of King George III of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Ireland). To the best of our knowledge, the Duke did not play any instruments. However, at the time, the kingdoms of Hannover and the United Kingdom were united and Adolphus was serving as Viceroy of Hannover for his older brother William IV. The opening movement begins with a substantial Adagio introduction, which leads to the very fetching main movement, a pleasant Allegro. (our soundbite begins with the Allegro). The singing main theme is brought forth by the violin and is followed by series of fast runs. The cello then takes over. The theme gets passed around and all get a chance to sing it including the bass. The lively second movement, Menuetto, is in the form of a typical Viennese Menuet. In the contrasting trio section the cello takes the lead. A stately Andante comes next, which while not so marked is a set of effective variations on a lovely theme. The finale, is a genial Allegro non troppo. It should be noted that the bass is given substantial opportunities to shine.
Originally published in 1833, there have been no subsequent editions. Our edition is a reprint of the 1833 original, which had several errors in it. We have cleaned it up and made corrections where required. However, readers should be aware of two things: 1. Even brand new editions of music printed before 1860 were never as readable as modern editions and 2. We were working off of a 190 year old piece of music. Nothing that old is ever pristine. However, our reprint is quite readable, it just is not up to modern standards. It is our hope that by reprinting the music, we have rescued a fine work from an underserved oblivion.
Parts: $19.95
