Presents
Franz Alexander Pössinger
String Quartet in G Major, Op.49 No.3
Franz Alexander Pössinger (1767-1827) was born in Vienna, where he lived for his entire life. He studied violin and viola as well as composition from Georg Albrechtsberger, who taught the likes of Beethoven. Pössinger, from the time he completed his studies until his death, served as a member of the violin section in the Imperial Court Orchestra. He was also a composer, mostly of chamber music and a much sought after arranger. His arrangements of Rossini operas were much in demand and Beethoven, with whom he was a friend, asked him to arrange his fourth piano concerto, even before it was printed, for piano and string quintet.
The String Quartet in G Major, Op.49 No.3 is the third of a set of six that, according to several sources, were first published five years after Pössinger's death in 1832. Be that as it may, our research indicates that these quartets were composed in the late 1790s. They were clearly aimed at the emerging home music-making market in Vienna and most probably circulated in handwritten copies, as was then frequently the practice for works which had not been published. The opening movement, Allegro ma non troppo, is pleasant and genial, light and upbeat. It is an excellent example of the kind of music amateurs were playing in their homes during this period. The second movement, Menuetto allegretto, is an example of a very typical Viennese classical minuet. A lovely, romantic and warm Adagio follows. The finale, Rondo allegretto, is a cheerful dance-like affair
This pleasant, unassuming work gives a very good idea of how Viennese home music makers spent their evenings. (Haydn and Mozart quartets were left to the pros who performed them in concert). We have reprinted the one and only edition which is nearly 200 years old. It is not difficult to read, but it is nothing like a modern edition. For that reason, we offer it at nearly half the normal price for string quintets.
Parts: $17.95
