The String Quartet

Josef Bohuslav Foerster composed five string quartets. The first one, String Quartet in E major Op. 15, he composed during the years his work as an organist, choir conductor, teacher and music critic was generally established. Five years later he revised it for publication. He then dedicated it to Tchaikovsky, with whom he had gotten acquinted in Prague at the end of 1888 when his wife sang the role of Tatiana in Yevgeny Unjegin at the National Theatre. Tchaikovsky and Furster remained friends until the death of the first one in 1893. That same year, Foerster wrote the Second String Quartet in D major Op. 39, when he travelled to Hamburg with his wife. Foersters journey can be heard clearly in this three-part quartet. His subdued lyrical music is cleverly constructed, captivating and detached at the same time.

Josef Bohuslav Foerster – String Quartet in E major, Opus 15 (1888)

1. Allegro, 2. Scherzo, 3. Adagio, 4. Allegro con brio

Performed by: Stamic Quartet

CD: Supraphon

Josef Bohuslav Foerster – String Quartet in D major, Opus 39 (1893)

1. Lento-Allegro, 2. Andante, 3. Andantino

Performed by: Stamic Quartet

CD: Supraphon