July - September, 2018

Sergei Taneyev's String Quintets

Sergei Taneyev (1856-1915) is one of the greatest Russian composers from the last half of the 19th and early 20th centuries and probably, from this group, the one whose music is the least known in the West. Taneyev came from an aristocratic family that patronized the arts and when Sergei's talent became apparent, his father sent him to the newly opened Moscow Conservatory at the age of 10. His main teachers there were Nicolai Rubinstein for piano and Tchaikovsky for composition. Although he became a brilliant pianist, Taneyev opted for a career as a composer and teacher and soon became a professor at the Conservatory.  His fame both as a teacher and as a composer quickly spread. Among his many students were Gliere, Rachmaninov, Gretchaninov, Scriabin and Medtner. In Russian concert halls, one always finds a bust of Taneyev alongside those of Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Sadly, the fame of this outstanding composer has not spread beyond his homeland. He wrote two string quintets, The first is for 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos. The second is for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello.

Sergei Taneyev's massive and outstanding String Quintet No.1 in G Major, Op.14 dates from 1904. The first movement, Allegro con spirito, almost symphonic in tone, is filled with spirited and appealing melodies. The middle movement is a highly effective Vivace con fuoco. It features a very energetic main theme, while the equally spirited second theme is, both in its rhythm and melody, of Slavic origins. The huge finale, Tema con variazione, consists of the andantino theme and nine extensive variations. It is an excellent example of Taneyev's extraordinary technique and art. It is an obvious choice for concert but also well within the range of amateur players.

Sergei Taneyev's String Quintet No.2 in C Major, Op.16, appeared the following year in 1905. It is for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello and was dedicated to the memory of the famous Russian chamber music publisher and benefactor M.P. Belaiev, who had died the previous year. It is a work of almost symphonic proportions. The first movement, Allegro sostenuto is predominantly serious. The magnificent first theme is rhythmically unique, the lyrical second theme is full of pain. The third theme tries to strike a somewhat more friendly mood. The contrapuntal work in this movement is of the highest art. The noble main theme of the Adagio espressivo which follows is a serious melody while the middle section has a lighter air, tinged with joy. The lovely third movement, Allegretto scherzando is full of many different tempi and is very close at points to a mazurka. The finale, Vivace e con fuoco, is thematically related to the opening movement. Spirited and full of superb writing topped off by an outstanding fugue at the end.

You can hear soundbites to both quintets by clicking on the links above. And both are available from Edition Silvertrust.