Anton Arensky - String Quartet No. 2, Op. 35 (1894)

Anton Stepanovich Arensky (Russian: Анто́н Степа́нович Аре́нский; 12 July [O.S. 30 June] 1861 – 25 February [O.S. 12 February] 1906) was a Russian composer of Romantic classical music, a pianist and a professor of music.

String Quartet No. 2 in a minor, Op. 35 (1894) for Violin, Viola, 2 Cellos
Dedication to the memory of Pyotr Tchaikovsky

1. Moderato (0:00)
2. Variations sur un thême de P. Tschaikowsky. Moderato (11:01)
3. Finale. Andante sostenuto (24:05)

P. Rosenthal, violin; M. Maurer, viola; N. Rosen, cello 1 and G. Hoogeveen, cello 2

The Quartet, Opus 35, for violin, viola and two cellos is dedicated to the memory of Tchaikovsky. By his use of quotation Arensky suggests a simple but effective programme, which acts both as a moving homage to the older composer and as a monument to Arensky’s own unique skill and imagination. The first movement, both tender and passionate, opens and closes with the simple theme of an orthodox psalm. This theme is developed and elaborated in the course of the movement, and its sombre, funereal atmosphere exploits the deep sonority offered by the unusual scoring. The central variations, based on Tchaikovsky’s ‘Legend’ (from Children’s Songs Op 54) and now more familiar in their later arrangement for string orchestra, are a personal tribute to his friend and mentor. Arensky seems to be most at ease with this form, embellishing the theme skilfully with both wit and pathos. The Finale is most unusual. Its opening theme, from a Russian funeral Mass, gives way to a celebratory folksong associated with the coronation and majesty of the Tsar and previously used by Beethoven in his Quartet Op 59 No 2 and by Mussorgsky in Boris Godounov. By using this music in this context Arensky is perhaps crowning Tchaikovsky ‘Tsar of Music’, and paying his greatest tribute.

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