Presents
Carl Schuberth
String Quartet No.3 in D Major, Op.37
"My trip to the Kyrgyzstan Steppes"
Carl Schuberth (1811-1863) was born in the German city of Magdeburg. His father taught him piano and he studied cello with the famous virtuoso and teacher Friedrich Dotzauer. He pursued a career as a touring soloist and eventually obtained the position of solo-violoncellist to the Czar of Russia in St. Petersburg, where he also served as conductor of the Court Orchestra, music-director at the University and inspector of the Imperial Dramatic College. He spent the better part of his life living in the Russian capital St Petersburg. He wrote a considerable amount of chamber music.
While living in Russia his curiosity led him to travel about the country. One of the trips that he made, to central Asia, he recorded in the form of a string quartet. The quartet was published in 1862, the year before his death. It was dedicated to his friend the famous art-collector Count Nikolai Kuschelev-Bezborodko who died in the same year the quartet was published. It is in four movements, each with a subtitle. The first movement, Allegro moderato, is subtitled Arrival and mostly graceful and elegant although later the rhythm conveys the sense of traveling. The second movement, Scherzo allegretto, is subtitled a Bokhara song, and features a rhythmically interesting take on central Asiatic music. This is followed by a Lento, subtitled the Tartars chanting. It is basically a funereal dirge. The upbeat finale, Allegro moderato, is subtitled a Bashkir song and departure.
This is a very interesting work whichis sure to make an impression on audience to whom it is presented. It is not particularly difficult to play and as such can be recommend as well.
Parts: $24.95
