Presents
Auguste de Sayve
We apologize for the quality
of the soundbites. As there is
no commercial recording, we
have had to resort to midi files
Quintet in E flat Major, Op.15
For Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Piano
Auguste de Sayve (1790-1854) was born into a French noble family in Grenoble. A count, his full name was Auguste de la Croix de Chevrières, comte de Sayve. He took an early interest in music and became quite proficient on the piano as well as the violin. He then studied composition with Anton Reicha at the Paris Conservatory. Following this, he entered the French army and served as a cavalry officer in Napoleon’s campaigns of 1812-1814. He traveled extensively and wrote several books recounting his travels, two of which became famous—Voyage en Sicile and Souvenirs De Pologne Et Scènes Militaires De La Campagne De 1812. If this were not enough, he was also an accomplished painter, with several of his paintings achieving prominence. Not a prolific composer, the bulk of which is chamber music and includes 2 piano trios, 2 piano quintets, one for strings and one for winds, three string quartets and four string quintets.
His Quintet in E flat Major for Piano and Winds dates from 1830. The dedication on the title page to the work bears the inscription "dedicated to Monsieur J. N. Hummel of Vienna, composed by his student Auguste de Sayve." Hummel was not only an important composer, but was also for several decades the leading pianist performing in Europe and a much sought after teacher. The powerful opening movement, Allegro molto, begins in rather orchestral fashion as if we are to hear a concerto for piano and orchestra. The piano certainly requires a very technically assured pianist. The lively second movement, Presto, is a scherzo. Gone is the orchestral sound and instead it is in true chamber style. Third comes a big, somber, almost funeral, Andante. The finale is a toe-tapping, exciting Allegro vivace. three which he published. This was common practice because it was generally
Our new edition is based on the original 1830 edition by the Parisian publisher Richault. This is a worthy for concert performance. It is not beyond amateurs so long as they have a pianist of professional standard.
Parts: $44.95
