Signum Quartet

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Work: String Quartet No. 2 in F major, Op. 41 (1842)

Composed in 1842, this quartet is one of a set of three string quartets written during Schumann’s productive “chamber music year”. Dedicated to Felix Mendelssohn, this work demonstrates Schumann’s lyrical talent and contrapuntal mastery.

• Allegro vivace: The quartet opens with a lively and spirited theme that demonstrates Schumann’s lyrical talent and his skill in counterpoint.
• Andante, quasi variazioni: The second movement consists of a series of variations on a calm and expressive theme, each variation exploring different textures and moods.
• Scherzo: Presto: A playful and energetic scherzo, characterized by fast passages and dynamic contrasts.
• Allegro molto vivace: The concluding movement is characterized by its brisk tempo and joyful character and brings the quartet to a lively conclusion.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Work: String Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 51 (1873)

This quartet is the first of Brahms’ two string quartets to be published as Op. 51. Brahms worked on these works for over twenty years, discarding many drafts before he reached his final vision. The C minor quartet is known for its intensity and structural complexity.

• Allegro: The opening movement is powerful and dramatic, with a dark and intense main theme. Particularly noteworthy is the development section, which captivates with its complicated counterpoint and thematic transformations.
• Romance: Poco Adagio: The second movement is a lyrical and deeply emotional romance that contrasts the intensity of the first movement with its calm and tender melodies.
• Allegretto molto moderato e comodo – un poco più animato: This gentle intermezzo, with a dance-like character, offers a moment of lightness. The central section becomes livelier and offers a contrast before returning to the original theme.
• Allegro: The final movement returns to the serious and intense mood of the opening. It is characterized by a robust and energetic theme that leads the quartet to a rousing and powerful conclusion.

Brahms “string quartets are regarded as the epitome of thematic and contrapuntal work. In his essay ‘Brahms, the Progressive’, Arnold Schönberg focused in particular on the quartets. He showed through analysis that he saw the roots of his own work in Brahms” music.