Today: String Quartet in E-flat major, opus 14 from 1898, and String Quartet in F major, opus 19 from 1906, of Carl Nielsen. In String Quartet in E-flat major the harmonic language of Nielsen is strikingly progressive. And again, this music is full of moments of unbridled energy and unexpected humour. It is a courageous piece, to paraphrase the title of the last part (Allegro coraggioso)!
The Quartet in F major fits in with the last part of the former piece. Nielsen wrote this quartet in 1906 as opus 19, but decided to work on it again thirteen years later, and he published this revised version as opus 44. A critic observed, at one of its first performances, that Nielsen had put all his temperament in this music.
Carl Nielsen – String Quartet in E-flat major, opus 14 (1898)
(1) Allegro con brio, (2) Andante sostenuto, (3) Allegretto pastorale-Presto-Allegretto pastorale, (4) Allegro coraggioso
Performing musicians: Danish String Quartet
CD: Dacapo
Carl Nielsen – String Quartet in F major, opus 19/opus 44 (1906/1919)
(1) Allegro non tanto e comodo, (2) Adagio con sentimento religioso, (3) Allegretto moderato ed innocente, (4) Finale. Molto adagio – Allegro non tanto, ma molto scherzoso
Performing musicians: Danish String Quartet
CD: Dacapo
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