Presented by Leo Samama.
Hans Pfitzner (1869-1949) – String quartet no. 2, in C sharp minor, opus 36 (1925)
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- Ziemlich ruhig, 2. Sehr schnell, 3. Langsam, ausdrucksvoll,
- Ziemlich schnell
Performers: Franz Schubert Quartett
CD: CPO
Alexander von Zemlinsky – Zwei Sätze für Streichquartett (1927)
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- Introduzione. Andante con moto – Vivace
- Adagio misterioso – Tempo di minuetto
Performers: Escher String Quartet
CD: Naxos
Like so many, Hans Pfitzner could not say goodbye to Brahms’, Strauss’ and Reger’s world.
Similar to Franz Schmidt, Emil von Reznicek and, in fact, Alexander von Zemlinsky, Pfitzner had received most of his training before 1890, when Brahms was still alive. The String Quartet in C-sharp minor, opus 36, was written in 1925, a few years after the completion of the cantata Vom Deutschen Seele, which was as famous as it was infamous (because it was applauded by the National Socialists). Pfitzner edited this quartet into a symphony in 1932.
Alexander von Zemlinsky composed the Zwei Sätze for string quartet in 1927 between his Third and his Fourth string quartet in 1927. These parts may have been intended for a different quartet and ended up loose in a desk drawer.
