Forde Ensemble - Spohr: Double String Quartets, Vol. 1 - Nos. 1 and 2 (2009)

Tracklist

01. Double String Quartet No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 65: I. Allegro
02. Double String Quartet No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 65: II. Scherzo: Vivace
03. Double String Quartet No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 65: III. Larghetto
04. Double String Quartet No. 1 In D Minor, Op. 65: IV. Finale: Allegro Molto
05. Double String Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 77: I. Allegro Vivace
06. Double String Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 77: II. Menuetto and Trio
07. Double String Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 77: III. Larghetto
08. Double String Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 77: IV. Allegretto

A champion of Haydn’s, Mozart’s and Beethoven’s chamber music, Louis Spohr also made a considerable contribution to this genre, composing 36 string quartets and four double quartets, these latter unique in the repertoire. Spohr harnessed the potential of eight string players, mainly deployed as two groups of four, to create attractive pieces rich in antiphonal interplay, brimming with engaging melodies and shimmering with a high polish. The first, from 1823, pays tribute to Spohr’s idol Mozart, while the second, from 1827, integrates the players into a more evenly balanced whole.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]