Presents
Erkki Melartin
String Quartet No.2 in g minor, Op.36 No.2
Erkki Melartin's String Quartet No.2 in g minor is the second of a set of known as his Op.36 in 1904. The manuscripts to these quartets can be found in the library of the Sibelius Academy of Helsinki. Our edition is based on those manuscripts. Although given the same opus number, they were not written one after the other but over a period of six years. No.2 dates from 1900 at which time Melartin was 25.
The opening Allegro energico, is by turns powerful, dramatic and lyrical. By turns restless and turbulent, but then calmer when a flowing melody enters and brings a sense of movement across a wide panorama but the underlying accompaniment continues to create a constant sense of unrest. A superb movement. It is followed by tuneful, somewhat sad Adagio. There are also several dramatic episodes which are gorgeous.The third movement marked Intermezzo, allegro robustamente e vivace. This is not a traditional intermezzo but a pounding affair, somewhat heavy, interspersed with lighter more playful interludes. At the end of the Intermezzo, Melartin places a Recitativo, andante moderato. It is an agitated outcry, ending with a cadenza for the first violin. The finale, Allegro risoluto, which sounds like an upbeat, rustic peasant dance. Anotherfirst rate work. Good for concert and top technical and ensemble amateurs.
Erkki Melartin (1875-1937) was born in the Finnish town of Käkisalmi. He studied with Martin Wegelius in Helsinki and then in Vienna with Robert Fuchs. He pursued a career as a composer, conductor and teacher, serving as the director of the Helsinki Conservatory. He was a prolific composer who wrote in most genres. His music shows the influence of Mahler and is primarily written in the late, post Brahmsian idiom. He did not ignore chamber music and composed a piano quintet, a string quintet, four string quartets and several short works for piano trio. Unfortunately, most of these have remained languishing in manuscript form in libraries and have not been published. His work, as the quartet clearly shows, is quite accomplished and indicates that he was a first rate composer whose music deserves to enter the repertoire and to be heard on a regular basis.
Parts: $29.95
