Presents
Louis Spohr
String Quintet No.3 in b minor, Op.69-New Edition
For 2 Violins, 2 Violas and Violoncello
Louis Spohr (1784-1859 also known as Ludwig) was born in the German city of Braunschweig. From early childhood, he showed a great aptitude for the violin. He studied with the virtuoso violinist Franz Anton Eck in St. Petersburg and ultimately became one of the leading violinists in the first half of the 19th century. But from the very beginning, Spohr wanted to become more than just a violin virtuoso. Hard work and talent were to allow him to become a leading conductor, a highly regarded composer and a famous violin teacher. As a conductor, he pioneered the use of the baton and introduced the practice of putting letters into parts to aid rehearsal. Violinists should be forever be grateful to him not only for his fine concertos but also because he invented the chin rest.
Spohr wrote in virtually every genre, not the least being chamber music. He composed some 36 string quartets, 7 string quintets, five piano trios, four double quartets and several other chamber pieces. During the 1830’s, he bemoaned his lack of ability on the piano and said that he would gladly trade a year’s salary to be able to play the piano well. Spohr was truly a great man of many skills (mountaineer, hiker, painter et. al.), and nothing if not determined.
String Quintet No.3 in b minor Op.69 came some twelve years after he his first two quintets, appearing in 1826. The opening movement, Allegro, though not exactly sad, has yearning wistfulness which occasionally becomes turbulent. The Scherzo which comes next is upbeat and has a playful mood. The beautiful third movement, Adagio, is calm and lyrical. The finale, Rondo, is restless and searching.
Our new edition is based on the Peters edition which appeared in Leipzig in 1827.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $38.95
