Presents
Maximillian Josef von Leidesdorf
String Quartet No.1 in g minor, Op.144
Even though he was quite well-known during his lifetime, information about Maximillian von Leidesdorf (1787-1840) is not exactly easy to come by. His son, also Maximillian, became a famous psychiatrist and at least in English today is better known than his father. Our Maximillian was born in Vienna and studied with Salieri and Albrechtsberger two of the most prominent teacher then in Vienna. Leidesdorf was active in Vienna until 1827 when he left for Florence where he remained until his death. In both cities, he enjoyed a career as a respected composer, important concert pianist and sought after teacher. As a pianist, he is widely regarded as a forerunner to Czerny. His compositions were popular during his lifetime and circulated throughout Europe. He was friendly with Schubert and his publishing firm, Sauer & Leidesdorf (later acquired by Diabelli) besides publishing many works by Haydn and Beethoven, was responsible for bringing out several of Schubert’s works when no one else would.
It is not exactly known when Leidesdorf’s String Quartet in g minor was composed. Judging from the opus number, it was a late work. It was eventually published shortly after his death by his own firm in the early 1840s. On the title page, the quartet was listed as his Premiere Quartet, but it appears to be the only quartet Leidesdorf ever composed. The Quartet is a very original sounding work, combining elements from the late classical and early romantic periods. The opening Allegro is full of turbulence and energy characterized more by its pounding rhythm created by the repetition of four 16th notes. The second movement, marked Menuetto is the kind of minuet Haydn might have written had he been alive in 1830. In the trio section, again the repeated use of four 16th notes creates a strong contrast with the more lyrical main theme. The Largo, which comes third, is noble and stately, but again, the rhythm plays an important role. The finale, Allegro agitato, is as the movement marking suggests agitated and restless, as a result of its rhythms.
As noted, this is quite an interesting work sounding like little else from this era. We were able to obtain a copy of the first and only edition. It is nearly 200 years old and was full of all sorts of water marks, smudges, and the detritus of age. Wee have spent many hours digitally cleaning it and the result is a serviceable performance edition of the sort Schubert or Beethoven would have played off of. But, it is not pristine like a newly published work nor the equal in quality of a modern edition.
Parts: $24.95
