Presents
Julius Röntgen
String Quartet in a minor
(1874, rev. 1885)
Julius Röntgen’s String Quartet in a minor was completed in 1874 at which time he was only 19 years old and had not completed his studies with Franz Lachner in Munich. Of his early compositions, including this quartet, the influence of not only Reinecke and Mendelssohn, but also of Robert Schumann can be heard. In later works up until around 1900 echoes of Brahmsian thought can be heard. Although Reinecke, to whom he showed the work, was pleased with it, Röntgen was not entirely satisfied with it and came back to it 11 years later, by which time he was an important musical figure in Amsterdam. The big, opening Allegro has for it motto a two bar turbulent subject which is followed by a lovely, longer lined, yearning melody. The main theme of the Andante which follows sounds rather like a Scandinavian folk melody. And though not so marked there are variations and several dramatic climaxes on it which follow. Next comes an flowing and largely calm Intermezzo. Of the four movements, this probably received the most reworking. It is the kind of intermezzo Brahms and not Mendelssohn or Schumann might have penned. The finale, Allegro molto, is a rhythmically bumpy journey across a wide tonal panorama.
Julius Röntgen (1855-1932) was born in the German city of Leipzig. His father was a violinist and his mother a pianist. He showed musical talent at an early age and was taken to the famed pianist and composer, Carl Reinecke, the director of the Gewandhaus orchestra. Subsequently he studied piano in Munich with Franz Lachner, one of Schubert's closest friends. After a brief stint as a concert pianist, Röntgen moved to Amsterdam and taught piano there, helping to found the Amsterdam Conservatory and the subsequently world famous Concertgebouw Orchestra. He composed throughout his life and especially during his last 10 years after he retired. Though he wrote in most genres, chamber music was his most important area.
Our new edition made by senior editors Garik Hayrapetyan and Raymond Silvertrust from the composer's own manuscript has never before been commercially available. It would make a superb choice for a concert and can be recommended to experienced amateur players.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $39.95
