Beethoven
Early Chamber Music played by THE REGINALD PAUL PIANOFORTE
QUARTET:
George Stratton (violin) ; Watson Forbes (viola); John Moore (violoncello) ; Reginald Paul (pianoforte)
Pianoforte Quartet No. 3 in C
1. Allegro vivace; 2. Adagio con espressione ; 3. Rondo : Allegro
Most of the great romantic composers of the nineteenth century wrote two or three quartets for piano, violin, viola and 'cello. In most cases they were works of maturity and, as such, show the rich possibilities of this instrumental combination. Beethoven's three Piano Quartets, however, are. early works and, though containing much charming music, are to some extent imitative and experimental in style.
Vincent d'lndy points out that;
' during the first years of serious study under the guidance of excellent Viennese masters, Beethoven meditated, wrote little, and contented himself with preparing-with what tribulation ! -for the production of his Opus I. But it must not therefore be concluded that the years spent at Bonn were: barren. Like Dittersdorf, Mozart, and many other musicians of his time, he began to compose in his earliest years, knowing nothing of composition. From the sketches of three quartets for piano, violin, viola and violoncello, dating from his fifteenth year, to the variations for piano and violin on a theme from Mozart's Nozze di Figaro-written shortly before Op. I-he had elaborated numerous compositions.'