Presents
Sylvio Lazzari
String Quartet in a minor, Op.17
"Sylvio Lazzari's String Quartet in a minor appeared in 1911. The outstanding first movement, Allegro agitato, is not far from the German Romantic style. Finely put together with an abundance of spirited and appealing thematic material, its use of rhythm immediately captivates the attention. It ends with an andante coda which features an impressive melody that appears again in the second movement, Andante. Later, one hears echoes from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde. The third movement, a Scherzo, impresses through its use of rhythm rather than melody, which more use of is made in the trio section. The finale, Rondo allegro giocoso, is as the title suggests is jocular and full of good spirits. There is much here which is quite charming, including a kind of capriccioso section."---the famous chamber music critic Wilhelm Altmann, writing in his Handbook for String Quartet Players.
Sylvio Lazzari (1857-1944) was born in Bolzen in the South Tirol, then part of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, now part of Italy known as Bolzano. Of Italian and Austrian stock, his given name was Josef Sylvester Lazzari which he changed when he arrived in Paris in 1882, after studying law in Innsbruck and Vienna. In Paris, he studied with Charles Gounod and befriended Cesar Franck and Ernest Chausson, who encouraged him to pursue a career in France. He did so and remained in Paris for the rest of his life, holding several positions. He composed in most genres. His chamber music includes a string quartet, an octet for winds and this piano trio. His music shows the influence of Franck and Wagner.
This is powerhouse quartet, sure to make a strong impression upon its audiences. Long out of print, we are pleased to make it available once again and hope that by so doing it will reappear on concert programs.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $38.95
