Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Scherzo

Compose Date

:

ca. Aug 1847

Publication Date

:

1850

Average_duration

:

3:33

Felix Mendelssohn composed his Scherzo for string quartet in A minor, Op. 81/2 in 1847, just a year before his untimely death at the age of 38. The piece was premiered posthumously in 1850 by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Quartet. The Scherzo is the second movement of Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13, and is known for its lively and playful character. The piece is written in ABA form, with the A section featuring a fast and energetic theme that is passed between the instruments of the quartet. The B section is more lyrical and features a slower, more contemplative melody. One of the most notable characteristics of the Scherzo is its use of pizzicato, or plucked strings, which creates a unique and percussive sound. Mendelssohn also employs a variety of other techniques, such as tremolo and staccato, to create a sense of urgency and excitement in the piece. Despite its playful nature, the Scherzo also contains moments of melancholy and introspection, particularly in the B section. This contrast between light and dark, and between playful and contemplative moods, is a hallmark of Mendelssohn's style. Overall, the Scherzo for string quartet in A minor, Op. 81/2 is a masterful example of Mendelssohn's skill as a composer, showcasing his ability to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.

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