String Quartet No. 7 (Dvořák)
Antonín Dvořák finished the composition of his String Quartet No. 7 in a minor, Op. 16, (B. 45) on 24/9/1874, having probably started it on or around the 14th of that month.[1]
Background
According to Sourek, Dvorak began composition of this quartet in the middle of September 1874, completing the second movement on the 17th, the third on the 21st and the fourth on the 24th of the same month.[2] He dedicated the work to the conductor Dr Ludevit Prochazka. It was first performed at a meeting of the "Circle of Young Musicians" on June 17th, 1875, and publicly at a concert of the "Society for Chamber Music" in Prague, on the 29th December, 1878,[1] the performers on this occasion being Antonin Bennewitz, Eduard Wittich, Vilem Bauer and Bruno Wilfert. The quartet was Published in parts by Emanuel Stary, Prague, in 1875, and in score and parts by Bote & Bock, Berlin, in 1893. Its duration is circa 23 1/2 minutes.[2]
Structure
The quartet is in 4 movements, as follows:[2]
- Allegro ma non troppo, A minor, 3 / 4
- Andante cantabile, F major, 4 / 4
- Allegro scherzando, A minor, 3 / 2
- Allegro ma non troppo, A minor, 2 / 2
Notes
References
- Herbert and Trufitt, Peter J F and Ian T. Antonin Dvorak complete catalogue of works, (The Dvorak Society occasional publications no. 4), 4th revised edition, 2004. The Dvorak Society for Czech and Slovak Music. ISBN 0-9532769-4-5. p. 20/21.
- Šourek, Otakar; (Trans.)Samsour, Roberta Finlayson. The Chamber Music of Antonín Dvořák (PDF). Czechoslovakia: Artia. p.69
- See also: English language version of page about Dvorak's String Quartet No 7 at a Czech site