Presented by Leo Samama.
The Czech Anton Reicha (1770-1836) moved in 1785, only fifteen years old, to Bonn, with his uncle and aunt from his father’s side, who were his foster parents at that time. The young Anton played flute in the orchestra of the prince-elector and his contemporary Ludwig van Beethoven played the viola.
He worked for some time in Vienna, where he composed his Quartet in C major opus 48:1 within the vicinity of Haydn and Beethoven. In 1808 Reicha established himself in Paris, where he amongst other educated Liszt and Franck.
Of the eighteen quartets Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848), a contemporary of Schubert, composed, the first sixteen date back to the years 1818-1821; even before his international breakthrough with the opera Anna Bolena. Donizetti had learned the trade from Simon Mayr. The Seventh quartet in F minor was composed under the impression of the passing of the young marquis Giuseppe Terzi. The music is very much alike a short opera for a string quintet.
Anton Reicha – String quartet in C major, opus 48:1
- Allegro non troppo, 2. Adagio, 3. Menuetto: Allegro, 4. Finale: Presto
Performers: Kreutzer Quartet
CD: Toccata Classics
Gaetano Donizetti – String quartet no.7, in F minor
- Allegro vivace, 2. Adagio ma non troppo, 3. Presto – Trio,
- Marcia lugubre
Performers: The Revolutionary Drawing Room
CD: CPO
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