Hagenow String Quartet - 1897 The Courier Nebraska Newspaper Scan

Reading old newspaper from the 19th century is fun. Especially when you have a specific hobby / interest in mind. I found few of string quartet related article just by randomly search "string quartet" in the Library of Congress and manage to edit some of interesting stories.

Hagenow String Quartet - reside in Nebraska area, article from The Courier Nebraska 13th February 1897. The article titled "Musical Mention" by John Randolph. I believe Hagenow String Quartet may be one of top amateur ensemble, good enough to received a large portion of local newspaper story. No internet result from search "Hagenow String Quartet" , it's a surprising result indeed.

However when searching August Hagenow + violin , some results come to light:
Mr. August Hagenow: August Hagenow came to Lincoln from Chicago in 1886; he was a violinist, but also conducted bands and orchestras in Lincoln. He joined the faculty of O. B. Howell's Nebraska Conservatory of Music in 1889, the same year he married Emma S. Seifert. In January 1894 he opened the Hagenow School of Music, but was bought out by Willard Kimball of the University School of Music in June 1894. Hagenow joined the faculty of the University School of Music, becoming director of the university band from 1903 to 1911.  http://cather.unl.edu/j00085.html

Interesting passage from the article :
In the spring of the year 1889 a few musicians were in the habit of meeting from time to time to spend a musical evening in the practice of string quartets and other music. From the embryo was developed the Hagenow String Quartet consisting at that time of Mr. August Hagenow, first violin, Charles Hagenow, 2nd violin, Mr. G. Sayer, viola, and Dr. E. George Andrews, cello. At the time the quartet was organized public were hardly thought of, the only object being the pleasure derived from the ensemble playing.

Hagenow String Quartet story in The Courier, 13th Feb 1897

check the other stories found in old newspaper:

Rozsa String Quartets / Trio - Tippett Quartet (2013)

Miklós Rózsa (1907–1995)
Performer: Tippett Quartet, UK - Website
Label: Naxos
Released: September 2013

Although being giant in movie score compositions, little is known that Hungarian Miklos Rozsa also wrote chamber works. His two string quartets are highly appreciated by critics. Just like other movie specialist composers Korngold and Walton, Rozsa string quartets were in the late of Romanticism. Highly dramatics also already went into recordings. There were already two versions known on these two string quartets, by Pro Arte and by Flesch String Quartet. But today, young UK based quartet is given new perspectives to the works. Tippett Quartet also added the String Trio to the recording.

The official released notes:
Though Miklós Rózsa became one of the most admired of film composers, he had always written music in other forms and his two published string quartets reveal important facets of his musical background. String Quartet No 1 was written in 1950 when he was under contract with M-G-M and, with its nocturnal and folk-dance imagery, is redolent of his Hungarian youth. String Quartet No 2 is prophetic of his later sparer style, though it too is infused with great energy and high drama. The String Trio, Op 1, recorded for the first time in its original 1929 published version, abounds with youthful vitality.

From Naxos site - About this recording

8.572903 - ROZSA, M.: String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2 / String Trio, Op. 1 
BUY IT HERE - AMAZON

String Quartet No. 2, Op. 38
1. I. Allegro con brio 00:05:27
2. II. Andante 00:06:16
3. III. Allegro scherzando 00:03:04
4. IV. Allegro risoluto 00:05:49

String Trio, Op. 1 (original published version)
5. I. Largo - Allegro molto energico 00:10:51
6. II. Gioioso 00:05:20
7. III. Largo con dolore 00:05:42
8. IV. Allegretto vivo 00:08:05

String Quartet No. 1, Op. 22
9. I. Andante con moto 00:07:35
10. II. Scherzo in modo ongarese 00:04:18
11. III. Lento 00:07:01
12. IV. Allegro feroce 00:05:21

Total Playing Time: 01:14:49

From left to right: John Mills, violin • Julia O’Riordan, viola
Jeremy Isaac, violin • Bozidar Vukotic, cello
Photo: Benjamin Ealovega

Fesca Complete String Quartet Vol 1 - Diogenes Quartett (2013)

Friedrich Ernst Fesca (1789-1826)
Performer: Diogenes Quartett - Website
Label: CPO
Release: September 2013

Classical composer Friedrich Ernst Fesca was from Germany, born in Magdeburg. He becomes the violinist of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and got full education right from an early age. He was performed a public concert of violin at the age of 15. The report told that Fesca wrote at least sixteen string quartets, four string quintets and four flute quartets. Fesca's chamber works also reported a popular repertoire in his time, being printed as early as mid-1810s to his death.

The first opus.1 containing three string quartet had been widely enjoy, as they recorded earlier by Authentic String Quartet in Hungaraton label. The Authentic Quartet done it in period instrument, then compared to Diogenes, their tuning is already different. Now, Diogenes Quartett from Germany done a survey to Fesca and enthusiastically called the project "Fesca Complete String Quartet". The first released, is package as Volume 1 but with three CDs, a massive collection of these Classical Era String Quartets.

UPDATED: A short review for Volume 1.

Both Quartet no.1 and no.2 are a familiar late Classical pieces, the first one should be a modest introduction to Fesca's endeavor in this medium, close to Haydn's. String Quartet No.3 in B flat Major (op.1/3) is my favorite quartet with the last movement is the best climax, it has beautiful main theme and the improvisation through its seven minutes length is easily passed.

The first movement in the quartet no.7 in A minor (Op.3/1) is also my favorite, it has memorable main theme.

Quartet no.8 in D major (Op.3/2) is pretty standard early Beethov-ian. The second movement of Scherzo is intrique and stormy. The last movement in Presto tempo is very familiar, even goes to have some of Haydn musical jokes we used to listen.

Quartet no.13 in D minor is already close to Romantic style. The whole quartet set in sad mood, very lyrical. Only in the last finale movement that Fesca gives a brighter notes for the listener. Quartet No. 15 in D major but opus numbering only in 3 no.4. This is rather short piece, second movement in Andantino is a happy triumphant in mood. The last quartet in this volume is no.9 in E flat major Opus 3 no.3. Again the introductory theme is happened in slow pace. Second movement is marked in Adagio but it quite fast! And the last movement is a canon withing all four voices racing each other.

FESCA Complete String Quartet Collection Volume 1 - Buy It HERE at Amazon

Disc1
-String Quartet No. 1 Op.1-1 in Eb Major
I Allegro
II Adagio
III Menuetoo
IV Rondo

-String Quartet No. 2 Op.1-2 in F sharp minor
I Allegro
II Andante con moto
III Schezando
IV Allegro non troppo

-Potpourri Op.11 No. 2 for String Quartet

Disc2
-String Quartet No. 3 Op.1-3 in B flat Major
I Allegro
II Andantino
III Poco presto
IV Rondo

String Quartet No. 7 Op.3-1 in A minor
I. Allegro

II. Andante con moto
III. Menuetto Allegro
IV. Finale Allegro molto

String Quartet No. 8 Op.3-2 in D major
I. Allegro moderato
II. Scherzo Presto
III. Andante con moto
IV. Finale. Presto

Disc3
String Quartet No. 13 Op.12 String Quartet in D minor
I. Allegro moderato
II. Larghetto
III. Menuetto - Trio
IV. Finale. Allegretto
Published in 1818, when Fesca was around 29

String Quartet No. 15 Op.3-4 in D Major
I. Allegro [0:06:33.46]
II. Andantino [0:04:59.35]
III. Scherzo. Vivace [0:03:59.16]
IV. Finale. Allegro [0:05:32.53]

String Quartet No. 9, Op.3-3 in E Flat Major
I. Allegro [0:06:57.38]
II. Adagio [0:04:58.21]
III. Scherzo. Presto [0:04:50.46]
IV. Finale. Allegro molto [0:05:31.35]


Diogenes Quartet
Recording time: 2007

Diogenes Quartett - Stefan Kirpal, Gundula Kirpal, Lydia Bach and Stephen Ristau

Known Fesca Chamber Works: (from Earsense)

1. String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 1 (1815 age 26)
2. String Quartet in f-sharp minor, Op. 1, No.2
3. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 1, No. 3
4. String Quartet in b minor, Op. 2, No. 1 (1815)
5. String Quartet in g minor, Op. 2, No. 2
6. String Quartet in E major, Op. 2, No. 3
7. String Quartet in a minor, Op. 3, No. 1 (1816)
8. String Quartet in d minor, Op. 3, No. 2
9. String Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 3, No. 3
10. String Quartet in c minor, Op. 4 (1816)
11. String Quartet in f minor, Op. 7, No. 1 (1817)
12. String Quartet in e minor, Op. 7, No. 2
13. String Quartet in d minor, Op. 12 (1818)
14. String Quartet in D major, Op. 34 (1814)
15. String Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 14 (1819)
16. String Quartet in C major, Op. 36 (1825)

String Quintet (viola) No. 1 in D major, Op. 8 (1817)
String Quintet (viola) No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 (1817)
String Quintet (viola) No. 3 in E major, Op. 15 (1820)
String Quintet (viola) No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 20 (1821)

Flute Quintet in C major, Op. 22 (for flute, 2 violins, viola and cello) (1820-1821)

Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 1 in D major, Op. 37  (1825-26)
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 2 in G major, Op. 38
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 3 in F major, Op. 40
Quatour Brilliant (Flute Quartet) No. 4 in D major, Op. 42

Stenhammar String Quartet Vol 2 - Stenhammar Quartet (2013)

Wilhelm Stenhammar (February 7, 1871 – November 20, 1927)
Performer : The Stenhammar Quartet, Sweden
Label: BIS
Release: October 2013

As I posted few weeks ago about new Stenhammar String Quartet cycle HERE, I just saw the upcoming volume 2 on this series. Volume 2 will continued the conversation with Sweden master Wilhelm Stenhammar to String Quartet No.5 in C Major and no.6 in D minor. And for most exciting parts, this volume will also premiered a String Quartet in F minor dated 1897. This string quartet will consisted of four movements.

We looking forward for this release and hat off for new bloods of Sweden who done this cycle, Stenhammar Quartet.

Professional review:
After the harmonic and technical audacities of his Fourth String Quartet, Wilhelm Stenhammar evidently felt the need to explore other paths. Thus, in the Fifth Quartet, he makes a new beginning, as indicated by the title 'Serenade' that he uses in the autograph score, placing the work in a world of apparent lightheartedness, and even ironic detachment. Unusually for the composer, the primary focus of the work is on the slow second movement, the Ballata. This is based on a song that Stenhammar had learned as a child: the tragicomical ballad of the knight Finn Komfusenfej, whose wooing of a noble maiden proves highly complicated - and in the end fatal. Wide-ranging both in substance and in musical character, the Ballata is framed by three briefer movements which all in different ways play with elements of the quartets of Viennese Classicism, by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Stenhammar thus distances himself from late-Romantic conventions - a development which is carried even further in his sixth and final work in the genre. Here 'Romantic' melodies and hovering Impressionist sonorities confront each other and are ultimately synthesized to form a single sound world, while Stenhammar's extensive studies of counterpoint enable him to achieve a truly democratic four-part texture. On this second disc of the Stenhammar Quartet's survey, these two late works frame a world premiere recording, namely that of the Quartet in F minor which Stenhammar completed in 1897, but withdrew after a successful first performance in 1898. While describing the quartet's middle movements as 'fresh and joyful', Stenhammar expressed severe doubts regarding the final movement and for a long time harboured the idea of replacing it, before finally giving up on the work. The first modern performance of the quartet took place in 2001, and now the Stenhammar Quartet is offering a wider audience the opportunity to judge for itself.

Stenhammar String Quartet No 5 in C major Op 29 'Serenade', String Quartet No 6 in D minor Op 35 (world premiere recording), String Quartet in F minor

and from BIS website:
After the harmonic and technical audacities of his Fourth String Quartet, Wilhelm Stenhammar evidently felt the need to explore other paths. Thus, in the Fifth Quartet, he makes a new beginning, as indicated by the title ‘Serenade’ that he uses in the autograph score, placing the work in a world of apparent lightheartedness, and even ironic detachment. Unusually for the composer, the primary focus of the work is on the slow second movement, the Ballata. This is based on a song that Stenhammar had learned as a child: the tragicomical ballad of the knight Finn Komfusenfej, whose wooing of a noble maiden proves highly complicated – and in the end fatal. Wide-ranging both in substance and in musical character, the Ballata is framed by three briefer movements which all in different ways play with elements of the quartets of Viennese Classicism, by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Stenhammar thus distances himself from late-Romantic conventions – a development which is carried even further in his sixth and final work in the genre. Here ‘Romantic’ melodies and hovering Impressionist sonorities confront each other and are ultimately synthesized to form a single sound world, while Stenhammar’s extensive studies of counterpoint enable him to achieve a truly democratic four-part texture. On this second disc of the Stenhammar Quartet’s survey, these two late works frame a world première recording, namely that of the Quartet in F minor which Stenhammar completed in 1897, but withdrew after a successful first performance in 1898. While describing the quartet’s middle movements as ‘fresh and joyful’, Stenhammar expressed severe doubts regarding the final movement and for a long time harboured the idea of replacing it, before finally giving up on the work. The first modern performance of the quartet took place in 2001, and now the Stenhammar Quartet is offering a wider audience the opportunity to judge for itself.

Stenhammar – String Quartets, Volume 2 - Buy It HERE at Amazon

String Quartet No.5 in C major, Op.29 (‘Serenade’) (c.1910)
1. I. Allegro molto con spirito 5'13
2. II. Ballata. Allegretto scherzando (paraphrase on ‘Finn Komfusenfej’) 7'29
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace 1'58
4. IV. Finale. Allegro molto 4'15

String Quartet in F minor (1897) - world première recording
5. I. Allegro 6'14
6. II. Adagio. Con intimissimo sentimento, poco scherzando 6'29
7. III. Allegro giocoso 3'52
8. IV. Allegretto 4'04

String Quartet No.6 in D minor, Op.35 (1916)
9. I. Tempo moderato, sempre un poco rubato 7'12
10. II. Allegro vivace 2'44
11. III. Poco adagio 8'08
12. IV. Presto 6'00

Dover String Quartet Wins Banff International String Quartet First Prize

As reported on their official website, Houston based Dover String Quartet won the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. Dover String Quartet as described on their official media:

The Dover Quartet
Joel Link, violin
Bryan Lee, violin
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola
Camden Shaw, cello

Considered one of the most remarkably talented young string quartets ever to emerge at such a young age, the Dover Quartet (formerly known as the Old City String Quartet) was the grand prize-winner of the 2010 Fischoff Competition. Formed at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2008, when its members were just 19 years old, the quartet draws from the musical lineage of both the Vermeer and Guarneri quartets, but brings a youthful enthusiasm and musical conviction to the repertoire that is truly its own. The Strad recently raved that the Dover Quartet is "already pulling away from their peers with their exceptional interpretative maturity, tonal refinement and taut ensemble."

Banff International held on August 26 - September 1, 2013 in Alberta, Canada. The finalist of their 2013 edition is:
  1. The Dover Quartet (USA)
  2. Quatuor Cavatine (France)
  3. Navarra Quartet (UK/Ireland/Netherlands)

Dover String Quartet plays Beethoven String Quartet No.8 streaming here:

Dover Quartet: Beethoven No. 8 on medici.tv.

see official website HERE

Stenhammar String Quartets Vol 1 - Stenhammar Quartet (2013)

Wilhelm Stenhammar (February 7, 1871 – November 20, 1927)
Performer : The Stenhammar Quartet, Sweden
Label: BIS
Release: June 2013

We will also soon received new cycle of Wilhelm Stenhammar's String Quartets. There were six of them, if you already read my other Stenhammar blog. These fine quartets are rarely circulated among other Romantic repertoire. They were eclipsed by other popular Nordic quartets by Sibelius or Nielsen. For the first volume, the choosen quartet are No.4 in A minor and No.3 in F major. There also 'bonus' track for two movements of Lodolezzi Sings Op.39 for string quartets. These string quarets by Stenhammar often summarize with good review, and the CD notes simply said it well:
"His familiarity with the medium is evident in these works which have been described as 'the most important written between those of Brahms and Bartok', but which still remain less well-known internationally than they deserve."

As for ensemble The Stenhammar Quartet, they were stated to be present since 1995. Having a mission to promote more Sweden composer such as a recording of Mats Larsson-Gothe, Per Mårtensson, Mika Pelo, Viktoria Borisova-Ollas, they also performed classics from Vienna repertoire. On 2013 they were engaged in recording all quartet by Stenhammar, expected to finish by this year as well.

See Volume 2 article here

Stenhammar – String Quartets, Volume 1  - Buy It HERE at Amazon
String Quartet No.4 in A minor, Op.25 (1904–09)
1. I. Allegro ma non troppo 9'14
2. II. Adagio 6'01
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro 6'56
4. IV. Aria variata. Andante semplice 10'49

Lodolezzi sjunger (Lodolezzi Sings), Op.39 (1919)
5. Elegi. Lento 3'23
6. Intermezzo. Allegro agitato 3'59

String Quartet No.3 in F major, Op.18 (1897–1900)
7. I. Quasi andante 8'44
8. II. Presto molto agitato 5'08
9. III. Lento sostenuto 7'18
10. IV. Presto molto agitato – Molto moderato 10'49

Peter Olofsson and Per Öman, violins,
Tony Bauer, viola and
Mats Olofsson, cello.

Their warm and energetic musicianship together with striking technical refinement have given them a position as one of the most interesting and respected quartets in Scandinavia today. The Stenhammar Quartet.

Sergey Taneyev String Quartets - by Carpe Diem String Quartet

Sergey Ivanovich Taneyev (1856-1915) Complete String Quartets (Ongoing)

performer:
Carpe Diem String Quartet (USA)
Chas Wetherbee, violin
John Ewing, violin
Korine Fujiwara, viola
Carol Ou, cello
Label: Naxos

As we experience more Russian chamber music revival now, Carpe Diem join the wagon quickly with a project to record all nine string quartets by Sergey Taneyev. In a list of most important Russian string quartet repertoires, we got the popular Tchaikovsky (3 string quartets) and Borodin (2 string quartets), we also have 'lesser known' Prokofiev (2 string quartets). We would think that the Romantic string quartet scenes in Russian come with least bang as the top composers only effort to put small number of string quartet cycle to the world, before Dmitry Shostakovich's 15 quartets of course. But a deeper survey shall tells, there were at least four more important string quartet composers that Russian can proud of. They were Alexander Glazunov who recorded seven quartets, then a massive 13 quartets by Nicolay Myaskovsky, Vissarion Shebalin nine quartets and Sergey Taneyev nine quartets. Out of four, all their string quartet only presented by at least one or two records available in market. Myaskovsky and Shebalin for example, only got one full cycle from Northern Flower label for ages now. With this rarity background, it is kind of pleasant welcome to see Sergey Taneyev now got the respect and his string quartet now being on roll by younger generation ensemble.

Carpe Diem String Quartet started the Sergey Taneyev project in 2007 with a release of their Volume 1. Volume 2 then released on 2009 and then we reach volume 3 in 2013. Out of nine quartets The Taneyev all being recorded before. Nos 1 and 2 by Krasni Quartet and then most by Russian Taneyev String Quartet from the Northern Flower label. As for the numbering they are a big mess. I don't even sure to recheck the correct string quartet number vs chronologically but I think it is like chronology order is 7, 8, 9, 3, 6, 4, 1, 2 and 5.

So there we have Carpe Diem SQ transforming these quartets, quite faithful to the old Russian Taneyev Quartet version, indeed. Surely the old version got the dynamic that hardly can matched, but in return Carpe Diem put in a soft, gently notes per notes rendition. Plus a better audio quality. Quartet No.3 in Dm seems a good starting point, with only two movements and easily memorize melodies line.  The next destination can be Quartet No.1 in Bbm, with five movements, the first movement in Adagio presented a good folk influences melody to enjoy. All two quartets cleverly selected by Carpe Diem for Volume 1.

Quartet No.4 in Am is the third minor key quartet. Still the room for more folk influenced song in Adagio repeated as in Quartet No.1. The dance theme in fourth movement may reminded to Beethovenian early and middle quartets in spirit. Now, Quartet No.2 in C did not lack of melody either. Few bar of slow introduction in 1st Allegro tempo movement utilized to built a nice melody for this quartet. It's again sounds familiar to Germany Beethoveen's styles.

The third volume of Sergey Taneyev String Quartet by Carpe Diem is similar to Northern Flower package, perhaps technically due to the length of both quartet to fit in one CD. There are Quartet No.7 in E flat major and No.5 in A major. Quartet No. 5 quickly sounds more modern, the last in chronological to composed and it's now contained significant number of dissonance. In contrast Quartet No.7 is early work that can only a step away from Classicism, the 2nd movement Adagio is earlier sign of Taneyev's signature movement on each quartets. With this 2013 release of volume 3, we hope the cycle can be fulfilled by CPSQ and let the revival of Russian string quartet rolling to other neglected composers, such as Myaskovsky and Shebalin.

TANEYEV, Sergey Ivanovich.: String Quartets (Complete) by Carpe Diem String Quartet

Vol. 1 - Nos. 1, 3 Naxos 8.570437 -  BUY HERE at AMAZON 
String Quartet No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 4
1.I. Andante espressivo 00:09:51
2.II. Largo 00:08:14
3.III. Presto 00:03:51
4.IV. Intermezzo: Andantino - Largamente 00:06:16
5.V. Finale: Vivace e giocoso 00:05:58

String Quartet No. 3 in D minor, Op. 7
6.I. Allegro 00:09:19
7.II. Theme and Variations: Andantino grazioso 00:17:33

Vol. 2 - Nos. 2, 4 Naxos 8.572421 - BUY HERE at AMAZON
String Quartet No. 2 in C major, Op. 5
1.I. Allegro 00:11:40
2.II. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 00:06:56
3.III. Adagio espressivo 00:09:53
4.IV. Finale: Allegro vigorosamente 00:08:27

String Quartet No. 4 in A minor, Op. 11
5. I. Introduzione: Adagio - Allegro 00:11:12
6. II. Divertimento: Allegro vivace e scherzando 00:05:16
7. III. Adagio 00:09:06
8. IV. Finale: Introduzione: Adagio - Allegro 00:10:06

Vol. 3 - Nos. 5, 7 Naxos 8.573010 - BUY HERE at AMAZON
String Quartet No. 7 in E flat major
1.I. Allegro 00:12:56
2.II. Adagio cantabile 00:09:56
3.III. Scherzo 00:05:16
4.IV. Finale. Allegro molto 00:09:56

String Quartet No. 5 in A major, Op. 13
5.I. Allegro con spirito 00:09:18
6.II. Adagio espressivo 00:06:35
7.III. Allegro molto 00:03:44
8.IV. Presto 00:04:33

New Sergey Taneyev String Quartet CD released by Carpe Diem String Quartet , July 2013

Ohio based Carpe Diem String Quartet now emerged as one of critically acclaimed young string quartet from the US soil. They venture not only in classical styles but also "eclectic musical interests have led them down the paths of gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music...". The first CD of this series was selected for the 51st Grammy Awards Entry List (2009) in four categories: Best Classical Album, Best Chamber Music Performance, Best New Artist, and Best Engineered Album-Classical. The quartet is the resident ensemble for Columbus Dance Theater, and their joint project The String Machine was aired by WOSU-PBS television through 2007–2008, and nominated for an Emmy award. In 2010, 2011, and 2012 Carpe Diem was the only quartet in America chosen to receive prestigious ArtsAlive Awards from the PNC Foundation.

 buy   buy 

tags: Sergey Taneyev String Quartet album review