String Quartet Glasgow - Apollo String Quartet

Nov. 29, 2009 - PRLog -- String Quartet Glasgow


The string quartet is widely seen as one of the most important forms in chamber music, with most major composers, from the late 18th century onwards, writing string quartets.

A composition for four players of stringed instruments may be in any form, but traditionally string quartets usually have four movements with a large-scale structure similar to that of a symphony. The outer movements were typically fast, the inner movements in classical quartet consisting of a slow movement and a dance movement of some sort (e.g., minuet, scherzo, furiant), in either order. Despite some notable examples to the contrary, the twentieth century saw this structure being increasingly abandoned by composers, although substantial modifications to the typical structure were already achieved in Beethoven's later quartets.

Many other chamber groups can be seen as modifications of the string quartet, such as the piano quintet, which is a string quartet with an added piano; the string quintet, which is a string quartet with an extra viola, cello or double bass; the string trio, which contains one violin, a viola, and a cello; and the piano quartet, a string quartet with one of the violins replaced by a piano.

Scarlatti's "Sonata a Quattro" may be regarded as the earliest example of the string quartet form. Subsequently it appears that the string quartet arose essentially by accident. The young composer Joseph Haydn was working for Baron Carl von Joseph Edler von Fürnberg sometime around 1755-1757 at his country estate in Weinzierl, about fifty miles from Vienna. The Baron wanted to hear music, and the available players happened to be two violinists, a violist, and a cellist. Haydn's early biographer Georg August Griesinger tells the story thus:

The following purely chance circumstance had led him to try his luck at the composition of quartets. A Baron Fürnberg had a place in Weinzierl, several stages from Vienna, and he invited from time to time his pastor, his manager, Haydn, and Albrechtsberger (a brother of the celebrated contrapuntist Albrechtsberger) in order to have a little music. Fürnberg requested Haydn to compose something that could be performed by these four amateurs. Haydn, then eighteen years old, took up this proposal, and so originated his first quartet which, immediately it appeared, received such general approval that Haydn took courage to work further in this form.

The Apollo String Quartet is the premier professional string ensemble working in Scotland today.

However we are more than just a string quartet…

We understand how important your event is to you. Whether you are planning the wedding of a lifetime or hosting a corporate event, we can tailor a package to suit your specific bespoke requirements and ensure that your event runs absolutely perfectly.

The Apollo String Quartet are all highly accomplished musicians and have many years of experience playing across varying genres. From Classical to Traditional Scottish, from Pop to Ambient, we can arrange any piece of music exactly as you desire.

So, have a look at our ‘Wedding’, ‘Corporate’ or ‘Testimonials’ tabs for more information, visit our ‘Repertoire’ section to browse our eclectic range of music and hear us play, or peruse our ‘About Us’ section to get to know us better.

We are completely dedicated to making your event individual and special. Contact us and we will be more than happy to provide you with a “no obligation” quote.

http://www.stringquartetglasgow.co.uk/

Regards



David Laing

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The Apollo String Quartet is the premier professional string ensemble working in Scotland today. The Apollo String Quartet are all highly accomplished musicians and have many years of experience playing across varying genres.