When Hermann Goetz (1840-1876) died at the age of 35, he left twenty-four numbered compositions plus a dozen unnumbered works. A small but very high-quality oeuvre.
His String Quartet in B flat, which was written in Winterthur (Switzerland) and completely revised in 1866, remained untouched and without opus number until … 1990. A remarkable work!
Without a doubt, String Quartet in D major, Opus 63 from 1888 must be Niels Gade’s most important string quartet, which was incorrectly indicated as his first quartet on the title page … It was his last!
Hermann Goetz – String Quartet in B flat, 1863/r.1866
1. Mässig bewegt, 2. Sehr ausdrucksvoll, aber nicht zu langsam, 3. Menuett, leicht und lebendig, 4. Mässig rasch
Performed by: Winterthur Streichquartett
CD: Jecklin Edition
Niels Gade – String Quartet in D major, opus 63, 1889
1. Allegro moderato, 2. Allegro vivace, 3. Andante poco lento, 4. Finale. Allegro con brio
Performed by: Copenhagen String Quartet
CD: DaCapo
