Presented by Leo Samama.
In September 1816 it seemed as if Schubert had no clue whatsoever how to continue with the string quartet as genre. Only by 1820 he seemed to have rediscovered his way, even though it was with an incomplete work, a first part, the well-known Quartettsatz in C minor (D703). This music emanates a great narrative power. More importantly, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven have no part in this music. This is 100% Schubert! After this loose part, it took over another three years before Schubert was capable of completing a complete string quartet, in March 1824, which could be matched with the Quartettsatz, the String quartet in A minor (D804), also known as the Rosamunde quartet. Meanwhile, he became ill in the Spring of 1823; he had syphilis. In the third part of the Rosamunde quartet Schubert quotes his song Die Götter Griechenlands from 1819, with words by Schiller: “Schöne Welt, wo bist du?” The yearning which emanates from it, does not only concern Schuberts personal well-being in 1824, but also a yearning of the bourgeoisie in general towards better days, to be relieved from the strain of the Metternich rule.
Franz Schubert – Quartettsatz in C minor. (D703)
1. Allegro assai
Performers: Jerusalem Quartet
CD: Harmonia Mundi
Franz Schubert – String quartet no. 13, in A minor. (D804)
1. Allegro ma non troppo, 2. Andante, 3. Minuetto. Allegretto – Trio, 4. Allegro moderato
Performers: Diogenes Quartet
CD: Briljant Classics
Franz Schubert – String quartet in C major. (D32)
Deel 4: Allegro con spirito
Performers: Diogenes Quartet
CD: Briljant Classics
