WILHELM STENHAMMAR

String Quartet No. 2 in C minor, Op. 14

Wilhelm Stenhammar is one of the most prominent representatives of Swedish romanticism. His early works display the influence of Wagner, Nielsen and Sibelius. Later he turned towards stricter classical forms. Chamber music is, probably, the most important part of Stenhammar’s oeuvre. Renowned as a pianist, he composed impressive piano quintets and worked closely with the Aulin Quartet, a famous and at that time one of the best Swedish string quartets in Europe. So it is not surprising that the composer had a good understanding of the specifics of string quartet, the timbral nuances and technique of the instruments. In total, the composer has written six string quartets that occupy a significant place in the treasure trove of chamber music. The Second string quartet in C minor was inspired by Beethoven’s works (in the third movement of the quartet Stenhammar quoted the main theme of Scherzo from Beethoven’s String quartet, Op. 95,). This opus abounds with original ideas, the music is saturated with romantic pathos, mystery, anxiety. The second movement, Andante Quasi Adagio, is especially affecting and captivates with the beauty of the melody.

PUBLIKUOTA: 2021-03-09

PERFORMERS: ČIURIONIS QUARTET

I VIOLIN: JONAS TANKEVIČIUS

II VIOLIN:DARIUS DIKŠAITIS

VIOLA: GEDIMINAS DAČINSKAS

CELLO: GLEB PYŠNIAK