Composer

:

Guillaume Lekeu

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1887

Average_duration

:

12:34

Guillaume Lekeu's 'Molto adagio for string quartet Mon âme est triste jusq'à la mort' was composed in 1891, when the composer was only 22 years old. The piece was premiered in Brussels in 1893, shortly after Lekeu's untimely death at the age of 24. The piece is a single movement work, lasting approximately 12 minutes. It is marked 'molto adagio', indicating a very slow tempo, and is written for a standard string quartet (two violins, viola, and cello). The piece is characterized by its intense emotional depth and expressive power. Lekeu was deeply influenced by the music of Wagner and the Romantic tradition, and this is evident in the rich harmonies and soaring melodies of the piece. The title, 'Mon âme est triste jusq'à la mort' (My soul is sad unto death), is taken from the Gospel of Matthew and reflects the profound sense of grief and despair that permeates the music. The piece opens with a mournful melody in the first violin, which is then taken up by the other instruments in turn. The music builds in intensity, with the harmonies becoming more complex and dissonant, until it reaches a climax of almost unbearable emotional intensity. The music then subsides into a quiet, introspective section, with the instruments playing in a hushed, almost whispered tone. The piece ends with a return to the opening melody, played with even greater intensity and passion than before. Despite its brevity, Lekeu's 'Molto adagio for string quartet Mon âme est triste jusq'à la mort' is a masterpiece of the string quartet repertoire. Its emotional power and expressive depth have made it a favorite of both performers and audiences, and it stands as a testament to the remarkable talent of this young composer, who died far too soon.

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