Presents
Roman Statkowski
Roman Statkowski (1859-1925) was born in the Polish city of Kalisz then part of the Russian Empire. After studying law, he switched to music studying with Wladislav Zelenski at the Warsaw Conservatory and then at the St Petersburg Conservatory with Rimsky-Korsakov and Nikolai Sokoviev. He subsequently devoted himself to teaching and composition, eventually becoming a professor at the Warsaw Conservatory. Not a prolific composer, much of his output is chamber music, including six string quartets and several works for violin and piano. Stylistically, he is considered the link between the older classical Polish composers such as Moniusko and the post Romantics such as Symanowski.
In four movements, his String Quartet No.1 in F Major dates from 1893 and was the only one of his string quartets published during his lifetime. It is in four movements and opens with a genial and leisurely Allegro commodo. The energetic and hard-driving second movement, Scherzo vivicissimo, is full of forward motion, a chromatic trio section provides good contrast. Next comes a warm and highly lyrical Andantino with some interesting pizzicato moments. The triumphant finale, Allegro molto e con brio, is jovial and celebratory.
This is an appealing work with fine part-writing which deserves concert performance but can certainly also be recommended to amateur ensembles.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $33.95
