The Jewish conductor and composer Felix Otto Dessof (1835-1892) was born in Leipzig in 1835. Already at an early age, he became a great composer and conductor. Only 25 years old, he was offered the position of conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which drew international attention under his leadership within a couple of years. He dedicated his String Quartet in F major, opus 7 to Johannes Brahms. It is a very appealing work which shows his craftmanship and in which you hear the joy of living and his admiration for Brahms.
Unusual for the time, the String Quartet in F minor of Heinrich von Herzogenberg is a three-movements work. Shortly before Brahms’ death, Herzogenberg confessed to have asked himself, when composing a new work, almost through his entire life what ‘he (Brahms) would think of it’. He would have been pleased!
Felix Otto Dessoff – String Quartet in F minor (1878)
- Allegro ben moderato, 2. Larghetto, 3. Poco andantino, 4. Allegro con brio
Performed by: Mandelring Quartet
CD: Audite
Heinrich von Herzogenberg – String Quartet in F minor, opus 63 (1890)
- Lento – Allegro moderato, 2. Andante, 3. Vivace
Performed by: Minguet Quartet
CD: CPO
