ESTHER COLEMAN (contralto)
THE KUTCHER STRING
QUARTET:
Samuel Kutcher (violin); Frederick Grinke (violin) ; Raymond Jeremy (viola); Douglas Cameron (violoncello)
Watson Forbes
6.0 ESTHER COLEMAN 6.15 QUARTET AND WATSON FORBES
Brahms composed two quintets for two violins, two violas, and 'cello : the first in F (1882), the second in G (1891). In view of the effectiveness in these two works of the addition of another viola to the string quartet, thus lending weight and colour to the rich polyphonic style of Brahms's music, some critics believe that Brahms's three string quartets would have been more effective had they been also scored as quintets.
The first movement of the F major
Quintet is melodious and clear in design ; the second movement is considered by Sir Donald Tovey to be ' one of Brahms's very greatest inspirations ' : it consists of a slow section alternating with a quick scherzo-like section ; the third movement is compressed in statement and form and full of high spirits.