Composer

:

Charles-Marie Widor

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quintet

Compose Date

:

ca. 1890

Average_duration

:

29:19

The Quintet for piano & strings in D minor Op. 7 was composed by Charles-Marie Widor, a French composer, organist, and teacher, in 1878. The piece premiered on January 25, 1879, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris, with Widor himself playing the piano part. The quintet consists of four movements: 1. Allegro moderato 2. Andante sostenuto 3. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 4. Finale: Allegro molto The first movement, Allegro moderato, begins with a dramatic piano introduction, followed by the strings entering with a melancholic melody. The movement is characterized by its use of counterpoint and the interplay between the piano and the strings. The second movement, Andante sostenuto, is a lyrical and expressive piece that showcases the beauty of the string instruments. The piano provides a delicate accompaniment to the strings, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The third movement, Scherzo: Allegro vivace, is a lively and playful piece that features a fast-paced piano part and intricate string passages. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and rhythmic complexity. The final movement, Finale: Allegro molto, is a virtuosic and energetic piece that brings the quintet to a thrilling conclusion. The movement features a fast and furious piano part, with the strings providing a driving accompaniment. Overall, the Quintet for piano & strings in D minor Op. 7 is a masterful work that showcases Widor's skill as a composer and pianist. The piece is characterized by its use of counterpoint, lyrical melodies, and virtuosic piano passages, and remains a beloved work in the chamber music repertoire.

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