JOHANN GEORG ALBRECHTSBERGER - Authentic Quartet Three String Quartets, Op. 4-6

Description: JOHANN GEORG ALBRECHTSBERGER - Authentic Quartet Three String Quartets, Op. 4-6, RARE!!! Austrian/Hungarian import. Condition is Like New. Think Brand New minus the shrinkwrap. No faults or flaws seen at all. This will be packed very carefully and shipped US Media Mail with Tracking. We are happy to combine items to save you money on shipping. We can send you three typical DVDs for the price of 1. Just put your selection in your shopping cart and press the Request Total button (top right) and we will get back to you with the lowest combined shipping price. Remember Media Mail starts at $3.92 for the first pound weight (or fraction), but then only 75 cents for each additional pound (or fraction). And visit our sister store on eBay (GutenburgReads) to see the more than 700 interesting items we are selling. About the Composer and This Recording: 3 String Quartets from Beethoven’s Teacher Well respected as a music theorist, Johann Georg Abrechtsberger (1736-1809) taught a surprising number of prominent composers. Johann Hummel, Ignaz Moscheles, Anton Reicha, Ferdinand Ries, Antonio Cartellieri, Joseph Eybler, Friedrich Kalkbrenner, Johannes Sperger, and Mozart’s son, Franz Xaver were among his students. But his most famous was Beethoven. He also wrote keyboard music, chamber works and concertos for trombone, mandolin, and Jew’s harp. The first 3 quartets of his Op.7 were published in 1789 while the second trio remained in manuscript form until this disc. Since Albrechtsberger was a master of counterpoint, it is not surprising that these works abound with them. The opening ‘Allegro’ of Quartet No.4, written in C Major, finds the 1st violin poised first against the 2nd violin, and then counter to the viola with the cello relegated to support and only the occasional solo flourish. In the hushed ‘Adagio’ that follows, a pizzicato bass grounds the soaring lead voice while the interior strings murmur restlessly. After a playfully elegant ‘Menuet’ where all 4 instruments share the contrapuntal fun, an urgent ‘Allegro’ closes the work. Juxtaposing swirling triplets in the 1st violin against syncopated notes from the 2nd violin creates a fascinating rhythmic contrast. Composed in G Minor, the 5th quartet is the only one in 3 movements, beginning with a sweetly sorrowful ’Adagio’ rather than the expected allegro. The cello carries more of the counter melody as the middle voices offer haunting echoes. Starting in a major key with the 1st violin leading, the graceful ‘Menuet’ brims with call and answer passages while the marvelous minor keyed trio, the cello takes charge. Initiated by the lead voice, a catchy primary theme opens the finale, a bright ‘Presto e con fuoco’ that may be the high point of the recording. Each instrument picks up the beguiling melody, tweaking it, altering it, sliding into major and back to minor in a tour de force of a development section, all the while maintaining an urgency that drives the movement to a stunning conclusion. In E Flat, the final quartet begins with an agitated ’Allegro moderato’ that may employ the cello for counterpoint more than any other movement on the CD. Featuring brief solo cadenzas for the first violin, it contains an extended development section that rivals that of the preceding movement. With extensive key changes, harmonic shifts, and interwoven counterpoint, it is an impressive piece of work. After a somber ‘Larghetto’, composed in minor that sounds at times like a solo vehicle for the first violin, a frisky cello underpins the amiable ‘Menuet’ that ensues. Opening with an appealing rhythmic dislocation, the triple metered ‘Presto’ closes the disc in stylish aplomb. The recording by Hungaroton is terrific, sharp and clear, with the individual fretwork easily discernable. Based in Budapest, the Authentic Quartet shines, particularly the founder and lead violinist, Zsolt Kallo. Most of Albrechtsberger’s compositions have never been published, let alone recorded. Based on this excellent recording, he deserves a wider audience. By the way: Welcome to the new ebay storefront for The Shepherd's Center of Winston-Salem. The store will be operated by experienced ebay sellers who have been selling some of our best donations for several years now through their own storefronts. Now we are using these same experienced sellers to sell to you directly. For the philanthropists out there, the vast majority of the items sold by us (Gutenberg Reads and others), are for the benefit of The Shepherd's Center of Greater Winston-Salem, whose mission is to help house-bound seniors live full and independent lives in their own homes. The center provides transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping, assistance with minor repairs around the house, and companionship through visits. The citizens of Winston-Salem generously donate books, music, movies, and more to us to help us achieve our mission. And now, you can buy useful items from us directly, and you will be helping the less fortunate in our city.

Price: 88 USD

Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

End Time: 2024-11-29T21:41:49.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.42 USD