Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble

Gioachino Rossini (1792 – 1868), Quartet No. 5 in D Major for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn (19^th century arrangement by Berr)

Gioachino Antonio Rossini was a prolific Italian composer who made his name mostly through his 39 operas, all completed while still in his 30s. He also wrote chamber music, piano pieces, and some sacred music. He was born into a musical family and began composing at age twelve.  As he gained recognition, his operas were mostly performed in Venice, Milan, Naples. His most popular works were composed in the “opera buffa” tradition (comic opera). Some believe that his withdrawal from composing more operas later in life may have been due to ill-health, or due to the wealth that his success brought him.

The Quartet No. 5 in D Major was originally one of six sonatas for strings (two violins, cello and double bass) written by Rossini at the precocious age of twelve. He was much critical of them in later life, even after transcribing them for the standard string quartet ensemble, a form in which they have retained popularity and a place in the catalogue. They reveal his early talent for virtuosic writing and his gift of producing a delightful melody. The version for winds takes on new colors in this arrangement for flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon by Friedrich Berr, a prominent German clarinetist from the early half of the 19^th century.

Fritz Spindler (1817-1905), Quintet in F Major, Op. 360 for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and Piano

Fritz Spindler was a German pianist and composer. His body of work of over 400 opus numbers focused on the piano, though he also wrote other chamber music, symphonies, and salon pieces.  He is rarely remembered today, but his Sonatina might be known to some.  

The Quintet in F Major for Piano and Winds was dedicated to one of his students, the Russian Countess Daria de Beauharnais and dates from 1888. The opening movement is written on a large scale and begins with a lengthy slow introduction, Langsam (slow), which eventually leads to the more-lively main section, Lebhaft und munter (lively and cheerful). The very short second movement, Sehr leidenschaftlich und frei (very passionate and free), is for the piano alone and serves as a cross between a cadenza and an introduction to the slow, funereal third movement, Sehr getragen und langsam (very slow and warn). The finale, Mässig bewegt, doch frisch (massively moved but fresh), is full of excitement with opportunities for all.

Rossini, Quartet No. 6 in F Major for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn (arr. Berr)

This work is Number 6 in F Major of the group of six quartets written by Rossini at age 12. This version was also arranged by Friedrich Berr.

Ferdinand Thieriot (1838-1919), Quintet in A Minor, Op. 80 for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn and Piano

Ferdinand Thierlot was a German composer of the Romantic period. He was born in Hamburg and, other than several years in Graz, Austria, spent most of his career in his hometown. He belonged to a circle of musicians around Johannes Brahms, and they both studied with Josef Rheinberger in Munich.

The Quintet in A Minor Op. 80 is a beautiful example of mid-Romantic music demonstrated by the much-enjoyable “piano quintet” ensemble. The opening movement features the melodic material in a dialogue among all of the instruments, either with entire melodies or with melodic fragments. The second movement opens with a gentle style which then abruptly moves to an energetic Presto section before returning to the opening theme and tempo at the end. The third movement is a short but stately Adagio.  The final movement, Allegro vivace, bursts out of the gate from its opening measures as a wild bound across the countryside which then leads into a pleasing conclusion.

Program notes by Larry Reed