German Early Modern composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann [1905–1963] wrote two string quartets. I am particularly drawn to his string orchestral and string quartet writing. Interestingly, his two three-movement quartets each contain two slow movements – an added bonus. I have selected the Second Quartet, from 1945-46, as it is more readily available, but there does exist several CDs containing both quartets.
This piece has a lot of very soft sections, which I have remastered to capture its nuances for the purpose of discussion.
Opening with a composer marking of langsam, a lone violin sketches out a lamenting melody, which is repeated and then developed. As the other instruments enter, there is a great sense of peace, albeit with a sound of desolation in the music. Now some dissonance is introduced, but only for a moment, and the feeling begins to take on a warmth, interspersed with subtle ensemble musings. A pause brings about a complete change in mood as striking interjections lead to a rhythmic focus. A little scurrying follows, in a strange meter. Three sharp chords break the mood and move forward with great vigour, sometimes with variations in dynamics. Powerful blocks of dissonant chords give way to a more measured section. Violins express like car horns and a shimmering section, at a racing tempo, leads to a striking conclusion.
The next movement begins in a manner similar to the preceding movement, with long violin lines and gentle, dissonant interjections. The first violin gnaws away at a sombre line, and the dissonant background harmonies are most attractive – Hartmann’s writing for strings here is beautifully balanced between the solo melody and the accompanying ensemble. A harmonised melody now unfolds, with the sense of the previous mildly dissonant edge long gone. The music proceeds into a tempo, which is brief, as the sound of quivering strings brings an air of mystery. Wonderful harmonised lines over a quivering background is sheer bliss to these ears. A pause leads to a bell-like sound which I believe to be a violin playing harmonics in a high register. The movement drifts into nothingness. It is rare to hear a quartet that opens with two slow movements – although Haydn and Shostakovich have both done it – in any event, it leads to a marvellous feeling.
The final movement features a striking rhythmic introduction as lines criss-cross with much energy. The feeling now gives way to a solo violin melody accompanied by several different harmonised ostinatos. This movement features constant mood changes. Another harmonised melodic passage begins to unfold – this varies from the gentle to slightly raucous, although it is always measured. A solo cello passage introduces another episode of violin lines with the harmonised ostinatos. Now some strong chords are heard as the work moves to an ornamented concluding section.
I really like these two quartets. They fall in the middle of my favourite era for the genre – European composers from the first half of the twentieth century –Early Modern. I can’t get enough of them.
The review CD, String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 performed by the Pellegrini Quartet on the CPO label, is only one of many versions on Amazon UK. Those on Amazon US are usually New and Used.
There are several quartets on Spotify, four recordings of No. 2 on earsense and some on YouTube.
Listenability: Classic Early Modern quartets.