Presents
Friedrich Kalkbrenner
Piano Sextet in G Major, Op.58
For String Quartet, Bass and Piano
Friedrich Kalkbrenner (1785-1849), a was one of the leading piano virtuosos of the first part of the 19th century. He studied at the Paris Conservatory with Louis Adam and composition in Vienna with Albrechtsberger and Salieri. He was on friendly terms with Haydn, Beethoven and Hummel. After leaving Vienna he pursued a career as a touring soloist. He also was a prolific composer, an inventor and piano manufacturer. He lived in London nearly 10 years before moving to Paris where he remained for the rest of his life. There, he became one of the leading piano teachers of the day and founder of a method which influenced such pianists as Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Saint-Saëns. Kalkbrenner was fond of saying that since the deaths of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Hummel, he was the last classical composer left.
The Sextet in G Major, Op.58 appeared in 1821 while Kalkbrenner was living in Paris. It is most likely the first such work for this combination. The opening movement, Allegro maestoso, begins with the piano stating the main theme. Shortly after which the strings, with the cello in the lead, take over in response. The give and take continues throughout the movement. The second movement, a strongly accented Minuetto allegretto is a cross between Vienna style and French sensibilities with a nicely contrasting trio. It is elegant and dancable. Next comes a lovely, lyrical Adagio non troppo. Here the piano is given filigree passages while the strings sing longer lined melodies. The middle section is dramatic. The upbeat finale, Rondo con spirito, is an exciting, toe-tapping affair.
We have reprinted a very clean copy of the original 1821 edition. As was common for the time, the piano part is only the piano part and not a score. However, copious cues of the other voices are included in the piano part to help with performance.
Parts: $39.95
