Presents
Friedrich Ernst Fesca
String Quartet No.12 in e minor, Op.7 No.2--New Edition
Whereas Fesca's string quartets in major keys tend to be genial, sunny works filled with pleasant music but very little drama, this is not the case of his quartets written in minor keys. Certainly his String Quartet No.12 in e minor, Op.7 No.2 has a dark and brooding sense of drama to it. It was the second of a set of two completed in 1817 and dedicated to Baron Karl von Freydorf. The opening movement Allegro, has decisive opening introduction before presenting the main theme which combines lyricism with a sense of yearning. The second movement, Adagio, is doleful, almost funereal in nature with its sense of mourning. Next comes a whirling Vivace, scherzando, full of excitement. The cello presents the opening theme of the finale, Allegro con spirito, a lolling, Beethovenesque melody. Soon the tempo picks up and storm of emotion burst forth.
Friedrich Ernst Fesca (1789-1826) was born in the German town of Magdeburg. He studied piano and violin with several different teachers, including for a short time Ludwig Spohr. By age 16 had already obtained a position as a violinist in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Not long after, he was employed as solo violinist to the Court of Jerome Bonaparte, at that time, King of Westphalia. After this he lived for a while in Vienna where he befriended the famous violinist, Ignaz Schuppanzigh, first violinist of the famous Beethoven Razumovsky String Quartet. Fesca's final years were spent working in Karlsruhe along with fellow composer Franz Danzi. He composed in nearly every genre from opera to solo piano works, however, the bulk of his out put was chamber music. Carl Maria von Weber, writing of Fesca’s chamber music, had this to say. “Mr. Fesca is completely master of whatever he undertakes to express. I am fully convinced of his remarkable talent. His works are carefully written, thoroughly elaborated and richly flavored." Fesca was widely hailed as a worthy successor to Haydn and Mozart and his quartets were frequently performed on a regular basis up until the middle of the 19th century when they began to disappear.
A good work which audiences will certainly appreciate if brought into the concert hall.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $34.95
