Louis Vierne (1870-1937) and Gustave Samazeuilh (1877-1967) are not very well-known names, even for musical experts. Louis Vierne is best known for his beautiful, symphonic organ works. Gustave Samazeuilh was a famed critic, apart from being a composer. He wrote a monograph on his teacher Ernest Chausson, amongst other things.
In his graduation year at the Paris Conservatoire, Vierne completed his only String quartet in D minor, which he dedicated to his teacher Charles-Marie Widor. It is a beautifully balanced work; a masterpiece created for the completion of his studies. Samazeuilh studied with Vincent d’Indy at the Schola Cantorum de Paris a little later. He composed his String quartet in D minor as a first aptitude test after being accepted as a student.
Louis Vierne (1870-1937) – String quartet in D minor, Op 12 (1894)
(1) Lento – Allegro agitato, (2) Intermezzo. Leggiero non troppo vivo, (3) Andante quasi adagio, (4) Finale. Allegro vivace
Performers: Spiegel String Quartet
CD: MDG
Gustave Samazueilh (1877-1967) – String quartet in D minor (1900)
(1) Assez lent – Animé, (2) Vif et léger, (3) Lent et soutenu, (4) Gaiement et pas trop vite
Performers: Quatuor Joachim
CD: Calliope
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