Tuesday, September 24, 2013

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

No comments:

Post a Comment