Presents
Louis Victor Saar
Quintet for Flute, 2 Violins, Cello and Piano on Themes from Bizet's Carmen
Louis Victor Saar (1868-1937) was born in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. From 1886 to 1889 he studied piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music in Munich, where his principal teacher was Josef Rheinberger. Subsequently he moved to Vienna where he continued his composition studies with Johannes Brahms. His works earned him the prestigious Mendelssohn Prize in Berlin of 1891 and the following year he won the Tonkünstlerpreis in Vienna. In 1894, he moved to New York and was hired as an accompanist at the Metropolitan Opera Company. In 1896, Dvorák, then Director of the National Conservatory (then the leading music school), engaged him to teach harmony and counterpoint. Thereafter, he was continually in demand as a teacher and held postions at the New York College of Music, the College of Music of Cincinnati. the Chicago Musical College and the St. Louis Institute of Music. He composed in all genres except opera and did not ignore chamber music composing sonatas for violin and cello, a piano trio and a piano quartet. He was also a sought after arranger of larger works for chamber music ensembles. The best known of these were from popular operas
His Quintet for Flute, 2 Violins, Cello and Piano was completed 1898 and titled Melodies from G. Bizet's Carmen. In one long movement, it covers all of the well-known themes from the opera from the overture to the finale. Masterfully done, this is an excellent choice for concert performance and well within the abilities of the average amateur ensemble.
Parts: $29.95
