Presents
Karl Műller-Berghaus
String Quartet in E flat Major, Op.6
Karl Műller-Berghaus (1829-1907) was born in the German city of Brauschweig (Brunswick). His grandfather had four sons whom he educated especially for quartet performance. These sons of his eventually formed a string quartet which became famous concertizing throughout Europe. They were known as the Gebruder Műller Streichquartett. (Műller Brothers String Quartet) and were active between 1839-1855. The first violinist was Karl Friedrich Műller. He also had four sons who eventually formed what was known as the Second Műller Brothers String Quartet which was active from 1855-1873). The first violinist was also called Karl and when the Second Quartet became famous, he added his wife's maiden name, Burghaus to his own to differentiate himself from his father. Besides being a performer, he was also a noted conductor, composer and arranger. Among is works are two string quartets.
His String Quartet No.1 in c minor, Op.11 was published in 1879 six years after he had left the quartet to take up a conducting postion. (He was replaced by Leopold Auer) It seems more likely that the quartet was composed some years earlier while he was still a member of the Quartet and that the work was taken with them to try out in concerts. It was dedicated to Antoine Gautier, a lawyer and amateur violinist and violist who hosted a musical salon for chamber concerts in his home town of Nice. He also became a famous collector of musical instruments. The string quartet is in four movements and opens with an ominous short Moderato introduction which leads to the main section, a turbulent Allegro ma non troppo. A lovely more lyrical sections eventually is brought forth. The second movement, Andante sostenuto, is a kind of Mendelssohnian song without words. Third come is a hard driving Scherzo, allegro con fuoco e con brio full of forward energy. A contrasting, dance-like trio section completes the movement. The finale, Moderato, is canonic, with the cello giving out the theme and the others one by one following. It is developed in interesting fashion.
Written by quartet performer, it is not surprising that the part-writing is excellent as well as the use of thematic material. And while it would certainly make an interesting choice for a place on a concert program, it is not at all hard to play and can be especially recommended to amateurs.
Parts: $24.95
