From Birmingham
THE LEONARD HIRSCH STRING
QUARTET: LEONARD HIRSCH
(First Violin), THOMAS MATTHEWS , MURICE WARD (Viola), HAYDN ROGERSON ('Cello) IN the C Sharp Minor Quartet (written in 1826, a few months before Beethoven's death) there are seven Movements. All are to be played without a break. The FIRST MOVEMENT (Slow and very expressive) is a Fugue. When this has been expounded in simple style, the tune on which it is based is given out by the First Violin twice as quickly as at first, and a little ' episode ' is built up. Later the tune is heard in the 'Cello, in notes twice as long as at first. Soon after, the Movement comes to a long held note and a pause, and so begins the SECOND MOVEMENT (Very quick and lively).
This straightforward piece of energetic music is followed by the THIRD MOVEMENT (Moderately fast), which is really only a few bars in declamatory style, bringing in the FOURTH MOVEMENT (Rather slow and in a singing style), a set of Variations on a graceful, engaging theme. FIFTH MOVEMENT (Very quick). The Scherzo, a ripe piece of jesting, and of tremendous energy. SIXTH MOVEMENT (Slow). Again a very short
Movement, that says much in few notes. In the SEVENTH MOVEMENT (Quick) we feel once more Beethoven's elemental power, and something of the introspection that grew upon him. This is big music in every sense.