Presents
Ludwig Meinardus
String Quartet No.2 in C Major, Op.43
Ludwig Meinardus (1827-1896) was born in the German town of Hooksiel. He showed his early compositions to Robert Schumann who encouraged Meinardus to enter the newly established Leipzig Conservatory. Meinardus left before graduating and studied privately with various teachers, including Adolf Marx in Berlin.He pursued the dual career of music critic and composer, serving as a choral director in various cities. Not a particularly prolific composer, most of his compositions were, in one for or another, for voice. He did, however, write two string quartets, a piano trio and a piano quintet. His music shows the influence of Schumann and late Beethoven.
Meinardus’ String Quartet No.2 in C Major was completed in 1885. The work, in four movements, is primarily romantic in nature, sweet and lovely, though at times, showing a tonal waywardness reminiscent of late Beethoven. The opening movement, Kräftig und deutlich im Ausdruck, is essentially a march with various themes portrayed. the second movement, Gesangvoll und innig bewegt, begins with a sweet somewhat sad theme but is followed by a series of energetic and thrusting subjects. Next up is a deeply felt slow movement which leads to the finale, Rasch, which begins with a series of powerful chords before becoming a lively rondo type dance.
Unavailable for more than a century, we are pleased to reintroduce this fine work, which certainly should interest amateur groups.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $31.95
