Domenico Gabrielli (1651-1690)
Ricercari No 1 G minor, No 2 A minor No 3 D Major (C 1680)
Domenico Gabrielli was well known in Venice and Bologna as a composer and virtuoso solo cellist. The Cello at this time was recognised as having untapped potential and technical advances in playing the instrument, such as Continue reading 22nd January 2023 – Philip Higham – Programme notes by Andrew Polmear and Helen Simpson
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) ‘String Quartet No 1 in G minor Op 10’ (1893)
Animé et très décidé
Assez vif et bien rythmé
Andantino, doucement expressif
Très modéré – Très mouvementé et avec passion
Debussy’s own title for this work is rather misleading: he wrote just one string quartet and it was the only work to which he gave an opus number (10 sounds like an impressive number for the ambitious young composer to have arrived at); it was also the only work for which Continue reading 11th December 2022 – Quatuor Arod – Programme notes by Andrew Polmear and Chris Darwin
Judith Weir (b. 1954) Your Light May Go Out (2004)
Judith Weir is one of Britain’s most well known composers, indeed, she is Master of the King’s Music – the first female to hold this post. In an illuminating interview on Youtube she explains that she has no preconceptions about her compositions: ‘the wish as a composer is Continue reading 20th November 2022 – Paddington Trio – Programme notes by Andrew Polmear and Chris Darwin
Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) String Quartet in G minor Op.32 No.5 (1780)
Allegro comodo
Andantino
Menuetto con moto
Allegro giusto
It’s a rare treat to find a string quartet concert that starts with a work by Boccherini. It’s a rarity that would have astonished Continue reading 16th October 2022 – Quatuor Agate – Programme notes by Andrew Polmear and Chris Darwin
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Piano Trio No. 7 in G, Hob. XV:41 (c 1760-1767)
Allegro
Menuet
Adagio
Finale. Allegro
Despite its high number in the Hoboken catalogue (41st trio out of 45), this work is one of Haydn’s first trios, probably dating from the early 1760s. Around that time, Continue reading 20th March 2022 – Mithras Trio – Programme notes by Chris Darwin
George Gershwin (1898-1937) Lullaby for String Quartet (1919); Summertime (1934)
Music only started to impact on George Gershwin’s life when he was 12 and the family bought a piano for his elder brother Ira. Ira (the future lyricist) wasn’t interested, but George was. His piano teacher took him to concerts and at 15 he dropped out of school and worked as a Continue reading 20th February 2022 – Joanna MacGregor & Brighton Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble – Programme notes by Chris Darwin
