Presents
Darius Milhaud
String Quartet No.1, Op.5
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) was born in in the French city of Marsailles. He studied composition at the Paris Conservatory with Charles-Marie Widor and became a member of the so called "Les Six", a group of modernist French composer who were active during the first part of the 20th century. During the course of his long career, he frequently traveled abroad, sometimes for pleasure, sometimes from necessity. During the First World War, Milhaud served as secretary to the French ambassador to Brazil. During the Second World War, he moved to America during the Nazi occupation of France. The sights and sounds of the cultures of he saw always interested him. In his music one often hears the sounds of Brazilian dances and American, but also the “modern” trends of French music during the 1910s and 1920s.
Milhaud composed his First String Quartet in 1912 at the age of 20. It was dedicated to the memory of Paul Cezanne. The first movement, Rythmique, opens with a simple unison declaration, lively and brisk. and open, occasionally letting up for more lyrical phrases. One can hear echoes of the Debussy quartet. The more lyrical second movement, Intime, contenu, is played muted. The original third movement, Grave, soutenu, is not recorded, but in the revised corrected edition of his quartet Milhaud let it stand, but specified that it was there only "pour mémoire," as a memory. And, in fact, insisted that the revisions showing the redactions also be indicated. The finale, Vif, très rythmé, is dominated by its rhythmic passages although in a center section it strikes a more reflective and graceful mood.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $31.95
