Composer

:

Anton Webern

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

String Quartet

Compose Date

:

1905

Average_duration

:

15:34

Anton Webern's String Quartet (1905) is a significant work in the development of the Second Viennese School. The piece was composed in 1905 and premiered in Vienna on March 29, 1907. The quartet consists of four movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, marked "Mäßig," is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and fragmented melodies. The opening theme is introduced by the first violin and is then passed around the other instruments. The movement is structured in a loose sonata form, with a development section that explores the themes introduced in the exposition. The second movement, marked "Schnell," is a scherzo that features rapid, virtuosic passages and a playful, dance-like character. The movement is in ABA form, with the contrasting B section featuring a slower, more lyrical melody. The third movement, marked "Langsam," is the emotional heart of the quartet. It is a slow, mournful adagio that features long, sustained notes and a sense of profound sadness. The movement is structured in a modified ternary form, with a central section that features a more agitated, dissonant texture. The final movement, marked "Sehr rasch," is a frenetic, virtuosic finale that brings the quartet to a thrilling conclusion. The movement is structured in a rondo form, with a recurring main theme that is interspersed with contrasting episodes. Overall, Webern's String Quartet (1905) is a groundbreaking work that showcases the composer's innovative use of dissonance, fragmentation, and unconventional forms. The quartet's influence can be heard in the works of later composers such as Alban Berg and Arnold Schoenberg, who were also part of the Second Viennese School.

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