Presents
Franz Krommer
String Quartet in F Major, Op.85 No.1---New Edition
Franz Krommer's String Quartet in F Major, Op.85 No.1 is the first of a set of three dating from 1809 and first printed by the prominent German music publishing firm Johann Andre of Offenbach. The very striking opening movement, Moderato, is dominated by its drumbeat rhythmic figure, which gives the music a militaristic flavor But this is also combined with a more lyrical sub-melody. Tremendous forward drive and energy create several theatrical episodes which border on the operatic. A whirling dance-like Menuetto allegretto comes next complete with a very chromatic and nicely contrasting trio section. In third place is a pulsing Andante con moto. The lively finale, Alla pollaca, is a fetching, toe-tapping affair which brings this first rate work to a satisfying conclusion.
Franz Krommer (1759-1831) was born in town of Kamnitz then part of the Habsburg Austrian Empire (today Kamenice in the Czech Republic) It had a mixed population of Germans and Czechs and though baptized František Vincenc Kramář by the time he was 15, Krommer began using the Germanized version of his name for the rest of his life, the name by which he beame known to the world. Krommer was one of the most successful composers in Vienna at the turn of the 18th Century. His reputation was attested to by the fact that his works were frequently republished throughout Germany, England, France, Italy, Scandinavia and even the United States. According to several contemporary sources he was regarded with Haydn as the leading composer of string quartets and as a serious rival of Beethoven. Krommer was a violinist of considerable ability who came to Vienna around 1785. For the following 10 years he held appointments at various aristocratic courts in Hungary. He returned to Vienna in 1795 where he remained until his death, holding various positions including that of Court Composer (Hofmusiker) to the Emperor, Franz I, an enthusiastic quartet player. He was the last composer to hold this august title and one of his duties was accompanying the Emperor on his various campaigns so that he could relax in the evenings playing quartets. There are more than 300 compositions which were at one time or another published, much of which is chamber music. He wrote more than 70 string quartets, 35 quintets, perhaps as many as 15 string trios, but also several works for winds and strings. Of Krommer's string quartets, the famous chamber music critic Wilhelm Altmann, in his Handbook for String Quartet Players writes, “Krommer knew how to write for string instruments and as a result what he wrote sounds brilliant."
Here is a quartet which is quite fresh and original sounding which an audience will not soon forget should they get the chance to hear it performed in concert, which it certainly deserves. It can also be recommended to amateur ensembles with a technically assured first violinist. Our new edition is based on the 1809 original and only edition published by Johann Andre of Offenbach. It has been carefully edited by senior editor Santo Neuenwelt,
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $38.95
