Presents
Vincenzo Gambaro
Wind Quartet in d minor, Op.4 No.2
For Flute, Clarinet, Horn & Bassoon
Sound-bites
Although the arrangements of Vincenzo (Vincent) Gambaro (1746-1810) were well-known and he was friendly with several famous Viennese and French composers of his time, you will not find his name in any of the standard reference sources. He was born in the Italian city of Genoa. He was active in Vienna and then in Paris where he founded a publishing firm around 1805. He is often confused with his son Giovanni Gambaro (1785-1828), who was active as a clarinetist and who joined his father in Paris, teaching at the Paris Conservatory and jointly running the publishing firm with Vincento.
He wrote at least 16 wind quartets for flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon. Opus 4 consists of a set of three. Their style is from the late classical era and they are in concertante form with each instrumental being given several grateful solos. Opus 4 No.2 begins with an upbeat and lively Haydnesque Allegro brillante in which the Flute states the main theme. Soon the Horn takes over and elaborates on it. Each instrument then gets its turn. Gambaro dispenses with a slow movement and instead substitutes a Menuetto vivace. The catchy main theme is followed by nicely contrasting trio in which the horn is given the lead. The finale, simply marked Agitato is a toe-tapping kind of a rondo bringing this appealing work to a satisfactory conclusion.
This quartet is on a par with the lovely wind quartets by Rossini and will make a welcome edition to the repertoire for amateurs and professionals alike. Our edition is a reprint of the original early 19th century one by Breitkopf.
Parts: $19.95
