Just like in Spain, also in France string quartets disappeared almost completely into the background in the beginning of the 19th century. This changed only in 1871, when Camille Saint-Saëns founded the Société Nationale de Musique (National Music Society) together with Alexis de Castillon, Gabriel Fauré, César Franck and Edouard Lalo (among others). Only recently the quartets of Lalo, Gounod and Godard were lifted from historical oblivion. In these, one can hear the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Mendelssohn, but certainly also the French ‘esprit’ in the pleasant melodies.
Edouard Lalo (1823-1892) – String Quartet in E-flat major, opus 45 (1845/1884)
(1) Allegro vivo, (2) Andante non troppo, (3) Vivace, (4) Appassionato
Performing musicians: Sacconi Quartet
CD: Sacconi Records
Charles Gounod (1818-1893) – String Quartet in A minor (CG564)
(1) Allegro, (2) Allegretto quasi moderato, (3) Scherzo, (4) Finale. Allegretto
Performing musicians: Quatuor Cambini-Paris
CD: Aparté
Benjamin Godard (1849-1895) – String Quartet in G minor, opus 33 (1876)
(1) Allegro, (2) Andantino con variazioni
Performing musicians: Quatuor Élysée
CD: Timpani
