String Quartet No. 1 by Max Bruch. Performed by the Quartetto Academica.
I. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo - 00:00
II. Adagio - 9:09
III. Allegro Molto Energico - 15:06
IV. Molto Vivace - 19:21
"Bruch's two string quartets date from his youth.
One rarely hears them today
which is unjust as they are full of rich and effective melodies
and are well-written in the style of the mid Romantic.
To some extent, they resemble Mendelssohn's Op.44 quartets.
The First Quartet dates from 1858.
I. The first movement begins with an Andante introduction
and leads to an Allegro ma non troppo with its energetic and powerful main theme.
The lovely second subject is more lyrical.
II. The second movement, Adagio, is a sweet song without words.
III. A stormy scherzo, Allegro molto energetico, follows.
Its contrasting trio section is based on a folk melody.
IV. The finale, Molto vivace, is a tarantella.
Both of its themes are particularly fetching."---
Wilhelm Altmann writing in his Handbook for String Quartet Players
Eugéne Henri Paul Gauguin, born in Paris in 1848,
took a leading role in post-impressionism with his bold colors and primitivism.
