Presents
Boris Lyatoshinsky
String Quartet No.4 in d minor, Op.43
Suite on Ukrainian Themes
Boris Lyatoshinsky (1895-1968), was born in the Ukrainian town of Zhytomir then part of the Russian Empire. After studying piano and violin locally, he moved to Kyiv (Kiev) and enrolled in the law school of Kiev University as well as simultaneously entering the Kiev Conservatory, studying composition with Reinhold Gliére. After graduating from the Conservatory, he obtained a teaching position there and subsequently became a professor both there and at the Moscow Conservatory. Besides composing, he was an active and sought after conductor. He is generally considered the father of contemporary Ukrainian music. He wrote in all genres and did not ignore chamber music, which includes five string quartets, a piano quartet, a piano quintet, two piano trios and instrumental several sonatas. His earliest compositions were romantic and lyrical in style, influenced mostly by Schumann and Borodin. Later, the impressionist music of Scriabin attracted him. However, under Stalinism, he returned to using folkloric themes, especially those of Ukraine.
String Quartet No.4 in d minor, Op.43 dates from 1943. It is subtitled Suite on Ukrainan Themes and is in five movements: I. Lento, II. Allegretto semplice, III. Allegro ben ritmico IV. Andante sostenuto and V. Allegro scherzando. Unfortunately, the work has never been recorded by a string quartet but only in an arrangement for a chamber orchestra of strings. It will nonetheless give you a very good idea of what it would sound like if performed by a quartet.
Parts $29.95
Parts & Score $38.95
