Notes and Editorial Reviews
Alexander Zemlinsky’s four numbered string quartets span some four decades, moving from the conservatism of his Brahms-inspired youth to the experimental works of his mature years. Written just after the Lyric Symphony (Naxos 8.572048), the Third Quartet is constructed in a cool, austere language far removed from the emotional, expressionistic atmosphere of the Second Quartet. The Fourth Quartet, written in memory of Alban Berg, is a fitting conclusion to an important body of work bridging the Romantic world of the nineteenth century to the modern age of the twentieth. Quartets Nos 1 and 2 will follow on Naxos 8.573088.
Alexander Zemlinsky’s four numbered string quartets span some four decades, moving from the conservatism of his Brahms-inspired youth to the experimental works of his mature years. Written just after the Lyric Symphony (Naxos 8.572048), the Third Quartet is constructed in a cool, austere language far removed from the emotional, expressionistic atmosphere of the Second Quartet. The Fourth Quartet, written in memory of Alban Berg, is a fitting conclusion to an important body of work bridging the Romantic world of the nineteenth century to the modern age of the twentieth. Quartets Nos 1 and 2 will follow on Naxos 8.573088. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Quartet for Strings no 4, Op. 25 by Alexander von Zemlinsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escher String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1936; Vienna, Austria
2.
Quartet for Strings no 3, Op. 19 by Alexander von Zemlinsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escher String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: circa 1923; Prague, Czech Republ
3.
Movements (2) for String Quartet (1927) by Alexander von Zemlinsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escher String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1927; Berlin, Germany
4.
Movements (2) for String Quartet (1896) by Alexander von Zemlinsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Escher String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1894-1896; Vienna, Austria
Sound Samples
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: I. Allegretto: Gemachlich, innig bewegt
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: II. Thema mit Variationen. Geheimnisvoll bewegt, nich zu schnell - Variationen I-VII
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: III. Romanze: Sehr massige Achtel, Andante sostenuto
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 19: IV. Burleske: Sehr lebhaft, Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": I. Praludium: Poco adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": II. Burleske: Vivace
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": III. Adagietto: Adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": IV. Intermezzo: Allegretto
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": V. Barcarole (Thema mit Variationen): Poco adagio
String Quartet No. 4, Op. 25, "Suite": VI. Finale: Doppelfuge: Allegro molto energico
2 Satze (1927): No. 1. Introduction: Andante con moto - Vivace
2 Satze (1927): No. 2. Adagio, misterioso - Tempo di minuett
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Zemlinsky shown in a new light October 24, 2013
By F. Bayerl (Ottawa, ON) See All My Reviews
"These quartets take more than one listening to be appreciated, but should appeal to those who like his other music. They lack the lushness of the symphonies and tend instead to be lean and rhythmically quirky, but repeated hearing brings out the musical logic at work."
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Atypical Zemlinsky October 10, 2013
By E. Barnes (Dunn Loring, VA) See All My Reviews
"I'm a big Zemlinsky fan, but generally I find his program music (including his operas) more satisfying than his efforts in the non-programmatic arena. His string quartets are a wonderful exception, and you'll find yourself fascinated with what the composer has to say. The Escher Quartet is a fine medium to get that message across. Recorded sound is exemplary."
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