Presents
Joseph Mayseder
String Quintet No.1 in E flat Major, Op.50
For 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello, Bass Ad libitum
Mayseder’s String Quintet No.1 in E flat Major, Op.50, is the first of five Grand Quintettos that he wrote for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello. However, in each instance, he included a bass part so that the work could be performed as a sextet if so desired. The quintet dates from around 1830 and was dedicated to Ignaz Dembsher, a prominent Viennese arranger and military strategist. It is in four movements. The work opens with an exciting Allegro vivace. The gorgeous second movement, Adagio, features a beautiful singing melody given out by the cello. A quicker section follows before a peaceful episode brings the movement to a close. A very rhythmic Scherzo is in third place. The finale, an Allegro, is a real tour de force. It has everything you could ask for: lovely singing melodies interspersed with breath taking passage work and a real "barn-burner" of a coda which is sure to bring audiences to their feet shouting Bravo, bravissimo!
Joseph Mayseder (1789-1863) was born in Vienna. He began to study the violin at an early age and was quickly recognized as a child prodigy and was therefore turned over to the most famous violinists and teachers then in Vienna, Paul and Anton Wranitzky and Ignaz Schuppanzigh. He also studied composition with Emanuel Aloys Förster. At the age of 21, he was appointed concertmaster of the Vienna Court Opera and subsequently was appointed soloist of the K. und K. (Royal and Imperial) orchestra, which he later conducted. He was not only considered one of the finest violin soloists of his day, but also chaired Vienna’s leading string quartet. In addition to this, he was a respected composer, mainly of chamber music, whose works achieved great popularity not only in his lifetime but right up until the First World War. He was a sought after teacher and the famous soloist Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst numbered among his students.
This is a quintet which will bring down the house if performed in concert and it is not beyond amateur players so long as they have a technically accomplished first violinist and cellist. We feel it deserves to be rescued from obscurity and have reprinted a very clean copy of the original edition. Long out of print, we think it will be of interest to both amateurs and professionals alike. Though written as a quintet, Mayseder created a substantial bass part which can be added if desired.
(A) 2 Violins, 2 Violas & Cello-Parts $29.95 (B) 2 Violins, 2 Violas, Cello & Bass-Parts $36.95
