Presents
Friedrich Ernst Fesca
String Quartet No.10 in c minor, Op.4--New Edition
Whereas Fesca's string quartets in major keys tend to be genial, sunny works filled with pleasant music but very little drama, this is not the case of his quartets written in minor keys. Certainly his String Quartet No.10 in c minor, Op.4 is dramatic and quite exciting. It was completed in 1815 and dedicated to Ignaz Schuppanzigh, leader of Count Razumovsky's famous string quartet which introduced the works of Beethoven. In 1815, Vienna was filled with kings, princes, dukes, counts and diplomats from around the world as the famous Congress of Vienna which ended the Napoleonic wars was in full swing. In the evenings, music was played in the many palaces and concert halls of that city. No doubt, Fesca took this into account in composing this quartet and dedicating it to Schuppanzigh in hopes that he would perform it in front of such audiences. And he did to great success and this in part helped to make his name. The opening movement begins with a brooding and somewhat ominous, substantial Poco adagio, a very Beethovian introduction. The main section, Allegro, is stormy and dramatic. The second movement, Adagio, has a valedictory quality to it. This is followed by an explosive Menuetto, allegro molto. Why Fesca called it a menuetto is mystery for it is far from a minuet but clearly a powerful, hard driving scherzo. However, the gorgeous ländler-like trio section does resemble a Viennese waltz. The finale, Allegro, has a wayward subject for its main theme, which projects a constant sense of movement.
Friedrich Ernst Fesca (1789-1826) was born in the German town of Magdeburg. He studied piano and violin with several different teachers, including for a short time Ludwig Spohr. By age 16 had already obtained a position as a violinist in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Not long after, he was employed as solo violinist to the Court of Jerome Bonaparte, at that time, King of Westphalia. After this he lived for a while in Vienna where he befriended the famous violinist, Ignaz Schuppanzigh, first violinist of the famous Beethoven Razumovsky String Quartet. Fesca's final years were spent working in Karlsruhe along with fellow composer Franz Danzi. He composed in nearly every genre from opera to solo piano works, however, the bulk of his out put was chamber music. Carl Maria von Weber, writing of Fesca’s chamber music, had this to say. “Mr. Fesca is completely master of whatever he undertakes to express. I am fully convinced of his remarkable talent. His works are carefully written, thoroughly elaborated and richly flavored." Fesca was widely hailed as a worthy successor to Haydn and Mozart and his quartets were frequently performed on a regular basis up until the middle of the 19th century when they began to disappear.
This is unquestionably a first rate work deserving concert hall performance where it will make a strong impression on audiences which are lucky enough to hear it.
Parts: $24.95
Parts & Score: $34.95
