Presents
Nikolai Tchérépnine
String Quartet in a minor, Op.11
Nikolai Tchérépnine (1873-1945) was born in St. Petersburg. He took a law degree at the university there before entering the Conservatory where he studied with Rimsky-Korsakov. By 1909, he was a was teaching there and held the position of professor. Among his many students was Sergei Prokofiev. He also became a well-known conductor and served as Diagliev's conductor of his Ballet Russes in Paris. After the Russian Revolution, he moved to Paris where he continued to work as a conductor.
His String Quartet in a minor was completed in 1902. The first movement begins with a substantial Moderato introduction which builds expectation and tension. It leads to the main section Un poco mosso. (our soundbite starts here) which begins with a dialogue between the cello and first violin over a pulsing accompaniment. Full of forward motion it is exciting. The big second movement, Scherzo, allegro molto is quite energetic and leads to an interesting and nicely contrasting Intermezzo which serves as the trio section. Next is a warm and lyrical Adagio. The work concludes with a pounding Allegro molto.
This appealing quartet would be well received if presented in concert and as it offers no technical challenges, can be warmly recommended to amateurs. Long out of print, it is a pleasure to make it available again.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $34.95
