Composer

:

Edward Joseph Collins

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1935

Average_duration

:

7:28

'Allegro Piacevole, for string quartet in D minor' is a composition by Edward Joseph Collins, an American composer and pianist who lived from 1886 to 1951. The piece was composed in 1925 and premiered in the same year. It is a single-movement work that lasts approximately six minutes. The piece begins with a slow introduction, marked Adagio, in which the first violin plays a mournful melody over a sustained chord in the other instruments. This introduction sets the somber tone for the rest of the piece. After a few bars, the tempo picks up and the main Allegro Piacevole section begins. The first violin takes the lead with a lively, dance-like melody that is passed around the other instruments. The music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and playful energy. Throughout the piece, Collins makes use of a variety of textures and harmonies to keep the music interesting. There are moments of lush, Romantic harmony, as well as more dissonant passages that create tension and drama. The music is also marked by frequent changes in dynamics, with sudden shifts from loud to soft and back again. One of the most striking features of 'Allegro Piacevole' is its use of pizzicato, or plucked strings. This technique is used extensively throughout the piece, creating a lively, percussive effect that adds to the overall sense of playfulness. Overall, 'Allegro Piacevole' is a charming and engaging work that showcases Collins' skill as a composer. Its lively rhythms, playful melodies, and inventive harmonies make it a joy to listen to, and its relatively short length makes it a perfect addition to any string quartet program.

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