The String Quartet

Thanks to composer Niels Gade, we have come to realise how significant Mendlssohn’s influence must have been as early as the thirties of the 19th century. This was also true for Denmark, where Gade was educated and where he celebrated his first successes as a violinist and composer. According to Gades’ diary, the Quartet in F  was based on ‘Wilkommen und Abschied’’ a poem written by Goethe at an early age.

Hungary born Karl Goldmark was half a generation younger than Gade and only three years older than Johannes Brahms. His musical compositions were strongly influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann as well, especially his 1860 String Quartet in B flat major. After he had closely studied the quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven on his own, he composed his one and only work in this genre in 1860.

Niels Gade – String Quartet in F major (1840)

1. Allegro di molto, 2. Adagio con espressione

Performers: MidtVest Ensemble

CD: CPO

Carl Goldmark – String Quartet in B flat major, opus 8 (1860)

1. Andante – Allegro moderato, 2. Andante sostenuto, 3. Allegro vivace, 4. Allegro molto

Performers: Glenke Quartet

CD: Hänsler Classic

Niels Gade – String Quartet in e minor, opus 8 (1877)

3. Scherzo

Performers: Copenhagen String Quartet

CD: DaCapo