Presents
Waldemar von Baussnern
Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet
Richard Walthew (1872-1951) was born in the English town of Islington
. He studied piano and composition and the Royal College of Music in London, the latter with Sir Hubert Parry. Besides working as a composer, he taught at the Guildhall Music School in London and was later a Professor at the Queen's College in that city. His especial interest was in chamber music and most of his compositions were for chamber music ensembles and include trios, quartets and quintets as well as several sonatas. His musically consistently received high praise and excellent reviews and yet virtually none of it has ever been recorded, this Quintet being a recent exception.
In 1917, Walthew received a request from his friend Oscar Street, a prominent London lawyer, but also a clarinetist of professional caliber. Walthew completed the Quintet which was dedicated to Street who took part in its premiere in 1918. Walthew titled it "A Short Quintet probably because it is in one movement. Though not the length of a clarinet quintet like that of Brahms or Mozart, it is not all that short and can certainly be programmed as a full length work. The movement has several sections with frequent tempo changes, although the mood, for the part, remains genial and relaxed. Powerful dramatic climaxes are avoided and the quintet strives for lyrical beauty. It opens with a pastoral-like Allegro moderato. Other sections paint pictures of the English countryside with occasional touches of French Impressionism. This essentially calm and relaxed atmosphere is maintained right up until the very end when a jubilant coda appears.
This fine work can be recommended to both professionals and amateurs looking for a beautiful, fresh work which is sure to make a fine impression.
Parts: $29.95
Parts & Score: $39.95
