Quartets (Bedřich Smetana)

Bedřich Smetana composed two Quatuor S:

the quartet n° 1 in minor D " of my vie" (1876)
the quartet n° 2 in minor D (1883)

The musician is rather little known for his Chamber music, having composed, in addition to these two quartets, only one trio for Piano and some other minor parts.

Quartet n° 1

It was composed between October and December 1876. Under title " of my vie" is clarified in a letter of the musician dating of July 21st 1879: First movement: call of the destiny (main theme) and fights of the destiny. Partial side of the type-setter at the romantic level, not only in its music but also in the life and in love. Alarm clock of the directions and the feelings in its music. Second movement: influence music of dance on the type-setter. Side shining of the life, particularly at the time of youth. Life of the type-setter in the aristocratic medium (trio in minor D flat). Third movement: intense feelings in love with the meeting with its future wife. Fight against a cruel destiny, final completion of the set aim. Fourth movement: alarm clock of the national pride! Influence national music on the type-setter, his culture, until the moment of semi strident, symbol of my destiny towards deafness, resignation and hope.

Creation took place on March 29th 1879. It was rejoué a little later in front of Franz Liszt which was enthusiastic.

This quartet is composed of four movements and its execution lasts approximately a half hour.

Allegro vivo appassionato

Allegro moderato with the Long-lived Hammer
Largo sostenuto

Quartet n° 2

It was made up whereas the musician starts to be seriously handicapped by a secondary deafness with the Syphilis. Its writing extended on nearly ten eight months and the first took place on January 3rd 1883 with Prague some month before the death of the musician.

This quartet is composed of four movements and its execution lasts a little less than twenty minutes.

Allegro

Allegro moderato
Allegro not piu moderato

Presto-allegro

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