Presents
Daniel Steibelt
Piano Quintet in G Major, Op.28
Daniel Steibelt (1765-1823) was born in Berlin where he studied piano and composition with Johann Kirnberger, one of Johann Sebastian Bach's most prominent students. After briefly serving in the Prussian army, Steibelt deserted and pursued a career as a piano virtuoso, primarily in Paris and London. Today, if he is remembered at all, it is for his brief visit to Vienna where, according to Beethoven's student, friend, and first biographer Ferdinand Ries, Steibelt challenged Beethoven to a improvisation contest on the piano. Ries, who wrote his account nearly 40 years after it happened, claimed that Steibelt after being badly bested by Beethoven, stormed out of the room and left Vienna never to be seen again. However, he continued concertizing, primarily in France, where he was feted by Napoleon. In 1811, he received an invitation from Tsar Alexander I of Russia, which he accepted, to become the director of the French Opera in St Petersburg where he remained for the rest of his life. He wrote a great deal of music, mostly for the piano, but he did not ignore chamber music, writing string quartets, piano trios and this piano quartet.
The Piano Quintet in G Major, Op.28 is the first of a set of three which were composed in 1797 and dedicated to the cello playing King of Prussia. It is in two big movements. The opening Allegro Moderato begins with a lengthy somewhat slow introduction before the main part of the movement (where our soundbite begins) and the tempo increases. The second movement, marked Rondo, is a theme followed by several variations. Not surprisingly, the cello is treated generously throughout the quintet. We have reprinted a very clean and performable copy of the first and only edition. It can be recommended both for concert and to amateur ensembles.
Parts: $34.95
