The String Quartet, presented by Leo Samama.
In the heydays of his career, after the big success of the oratorio St Paul and his marriage with Cécile Jeanrenaud, Mendelssohn wrote the String Quartets Op. 44. He had started writing them during his honeymoon. In the early summer of 1837, he completed the melodious String Quartet in E minor (Op. 44, No.2) in the same key as his virtuoso Violin Concerto. In the year after, he added two more quartets to this opus. In each of the Opus 44 quartets, Mendelssohn has exceeded himself in controlling the material and form. Every part is perfect and, at the same time, they do not lack the least spontaneity; it is as if the works have been dictated by themselves.
Ten years later and shortly before he died, Mendelssohn wrote the String Quartet in F minor under totally different circumstances. After the sudden death of this sister Fanny, he was totally devastated, with a heartrending piece of work as a result.
Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet in E minor, Opus 44:2
1. Allegro assai appassionato, 2. Scherzo: Allegro di molto, 3. Andante, 4. Presto agitato
Performed by: Emerson String Quartet
CD: Deutsche Grammophon
Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet in F minor, Opus 80
1. Allegro vivace assai, 2. Allegro assai, 3. Adagio, 4. Finale: Allegro molto
Performed by: Emerson String Quartet
CD Deutsche Grammophon
Felix Mendelssohn – Scherzo from Opus 81
Performed by: Henschel Quartet
CD: SBME
