Presents
Johann Carl Eschmann
String Quartet in d minor
Johann Carl Eschmann (1826-1882) and his music are virtually unknown today. But this was not so during his lifetime. He was a friend of both Wagner and Brahms. Several of his songs and piano works were published but quickly disappeared after his death. His main claim to fame was as the author of the book Wegweiser durch die Klavierliteratur (Guide to the Piano Literature) which went through more than a dozen editions over a 50 year period. Eschmann was born in the Swiss city of Winterthur. After studying piano locally there and in Zurich, in 1845, he enrolled at the newly founded Leipzig Conservatory where he studied composition with Felix Mendelssohn and Niels Gade and piano with Ignaz Moscheles. After Mendelssohn's death in 1847, he returned to Switzerland working as private teacher and choral conductor. The bulk of his music has never been published and languished in the private libraries of his relatives until the last decade of the 20th century when his family donated a huge number of works to the Zurich Central Library (Zentralbibliothek Zürich). No less than 142 works of his can be found there.
A set of handwritten parts, but no score, to his String Quartet in d minor is among these. It cannot be said with certainty that the parts were the work of the author rather than a copyist, but their existence seems to indicate that the quartet may have at least been played privately. We feel the work was completed shortly after Eschmann left Leipzig, most probably in 1847 or 1848. It is in four movements and begins with a quasi recitatif introduction which recalls Mendelssohn's Op.13 quartet. The main part of the movement, Allegro con fuoco, is full of drive and is quite dramatic. The lovely, second movement is a leisurely Andante, quite lyrical. Next comes an exciting Scherzo, allegro vivace. Fleet and nervous, the guiding hand of his famous teacher is unmistakable. The lyrical opening melody of the finale, Allegro assai, is particularly fetching. Later, come several powerful dramatic climaxes. It is hard to understand why Eschmann never got around to publishing this fine work.
There are not a lot of worthy Swiss string quartets from the mid 19th century, but this is one of them. Finely put together with good part-writing, it presents no great technical challenges and can be recommended to both amateurs and professionals alike.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $3495
