Presents
Conradin Kreutzer
Quintet for Flute, Clarinet, Viola, Cello & Piano in A Major
Conradin Kreutzer’s Quintet in A Major for Flute, Clarinet, Viola, Cello and Piano was not published during his lifetime. The manuscript to the parts exists in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. Though undated, scholars believe it to have been composed between 1810 and 1820. It is noteworthy in that its instrumentation is rather unusual. There are very few if any works for this combination. We have not been able to find any. There are a few for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano, but in this quintet is there no violin. The work, in four movements, opens with a stately Allegro maestoso. As is typical for this period, the piano is primus inter pares, first among equals. However, the other voices are given interesting parts as well. Kreutzer's gift for melody is immediately apparent. The second movement, Adagio, in g minor, opens with two ominous chords. The piano then plays a short filigree solo, but the rest of this lovely movement primarily features the viola and the flute. Next comes a carefree, genial Scherzo, molto vivace. The finale, Tempo di Polonaise, begins with a somewhat melancholy version of the Polish folk dance. The movement alternates between a minor and A Major creating a fine contrast of moods.
Conradin Kreutzer (1780-1849) was born in the German town of Messkirch. He studied violin, clarinet, oboe, organ and piano as well voice as a young man. After briefly studying law in Freiburg, he went to Vienna where he studied composition with Albrechtsberger, one of Beethoven’s teachers. He enjoyed a career as a composer and music director holding posts in Vienna, Stuttgart, Cologne and a number of other German cities. Today, if he is remembered at all, it is for his opera Der Nachtlager von Granada. However, in his time, his chamber music was highly thought of and often performed. He was a gifted melodist and his style is that of the late classical and early romantic era and in many ways resembles that of Carl Maria von Weber.
Parts: $39.95
