Presented by Leo Samama.
Both the String quartet in E-flat major (opus 12) and the earlier composed String quartet in A minor (opus 13) by Mendelssohn are closely connected to his juvenile friendship with Betty Pistor. Initially both works were meant for her. The Quartet in A minor is, however, also the product of Mendelssohns first trip to England, where he became friends with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Friedrich Fröhlich composed his String quartet in F minor directly after he had arrived in Berlin to take classes with Carl Zelter in 1826. The work is a good example of a mixture of 18th century Sturm und Drang figures (Haydn), early romantic folk song motives (Schubert) and elegant virtuoso passages (Spohr), as we can still witness with many composers of the first quarter of the 19th century.
Felix Mendelssohn – String quartet in E-flat major., opus 12
1. Adagio non troppo-Allegro non tardante, 2. Canzonetta: Allegretto-Più mosso, 3. Andante espressivo, 4. Molto allegro vivace
Performers: Minguet Quartet
CD: CPO
Friedrich Fröhlich – String quartet in F minor
1. Allegro moderato, 2. Allegretto quasi andantino, 3. Scherzo: Molto allegro-Trio: Meno presto, 4, Finale: Adagio-Allegro ma non troppo-Adagio-Allegro tempo primo
Performers: Rasumowsky Quartet
CD: CPO
