Notwithstanding all your other terrific efforts, your "Essential for Beginners" videos might be your most valuable explanatory and revelatory efforts yet, both for beginners and for those of us who are trying to learn and appreciate the wonders of music that you so generously share with us...Many thanks!
@@matthewbbenton St Francis? The Messiaen? Oooo..I got the feeling that the lists were rather more the most significant symphonies etc, not necessarily the ones that suck the beginner in to listen to more.
@@matthewbbenton - You forgot about Die Soldaten! Oeee, and Death in Venice! At least Parsifal has some tunes - "Zum letszte Liebesmahle!". Going to put in on right now!
I have always considered the string quartet to be the equivalent of working in black and white. It is not as immediately attention-grabbing as color, but you can still do a lot, and often draw the audience into paying attention to things they might not when working in color.
I've only just come across Dave Hurwitz. I am so impressed. HIs analysis and enthusiasm for the music he discusses is unparalleled and the music he discusses I have recordings of all of them, and I have come to love already, . Thank you Dave, not just for your profound insights, but also confirming my own musical sense,, at least as far as this rank non-musician understands!. .(Though I don't think I can agree about Brohms so much)
Very glad to see these. I think I would have counted on Ravel being coupled to Debussy (so the beginner will hear both regardless) just to make room for Shostakovich. I'd view him as somewhat more "essential" for a beginner than some of the other 20th century composers.
Thanks for including the Debussy and Ravel Quartets. I first heard the when I was ten years old and they opened my imagination. I will never forget the wonderful impression they made on me. They opened the door to chamber music in my life.
As a beginner, this selection was the most digestible so far but the music was more pleasant than meaty. I liked all the selections but only really found myself listening to one selection multiple times. The selection I kept returning to was the Dvorak so I must be warming up to him now.
The challenge for me approaching my first string quartets was the sybaritic sound world they seemed to create; it sounded rather harsh to me initially. Strings en masse are easy listening, and even a solo violin in a concerto seems pretty easy to listen to. But I don't know that there's any preparation for the quartet sound, so you might as well focus on the music!
There isn't quite the room for gimmicks in a string quartet. Few (the Smetana quartet is the one exception in this group, and there are few others) with programs. The string quartet is nearly impossible to use for political manipulation (Shostakovich did that once with great effect in his magisterial Eighth -- which I would definitely NOT suggest as an introduction to the string quartet) and it was definitely not connected to Communism. Direct quotation is all the manipulation possible, as with using the imperial anthem of Austria in Haydn's "Emperor" Quartet. OK, Haydn's "Fifths" suggests a witches' sabbath to me, but I have also read that that is not the intention. The string quartet is the realm of the purest classical music.
Along the lines of this 'Essential for Beginners' theme - I want to mention that Kurt Atterberg's String Quartet No. 2 in B Minor, Op. 11 is an all-time favourite Quartet of mine. I'd say it's very immediately enjoyable, captivating, and unique. It SOUNDS like a String Quartet - even though he's known for his Symphonies. I think it fits this theme of being accessible without being facile. The recording by the Stenhammar Quartet is brilliant - highly recommended for a 'next step' beyond these 10. I'm aware that it's far from standard repertoire but I'm mentioning it here because it's one of the works that gets me most 'excited about the sound of the String Quartet'. Quite a stormy work, along the lines of the Grieg Quartet, Schubert's Death and the Maiden. Intimacy and profundity are one aspect of String Quartet writing - but I also relish these works for the way they use a lot of Fifths and techniques idiomatic to strings that create bold and dramatic sounds. Intimate doesn't have to only mean soft, it can mean bold and fierce too!
Somewhere along the line, one needs to list the Janaček Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters". This is one of the most beautiful outpourings of love in music (see Janačk's biography!), and not tortured as many of them are, rather endlessly melodic, inventive, life-affirming and well - happy! Isn't that what being in love OUGHT to do to a person? Nobody cares for the suffering, even though it often spills forth wondrous music (poetry, etc.). Not digressing any further, Janacek is equally captivating whether he is writing a tragic opera or a sunny quartet in the twilight of his years. So we are beginning to collect material for the second edition of "Essential 10 Quartets". Hard to displace any from the first list - who would dare? :)
@@DavesClassicalGuide Great, I saw that and am happy with how much attention has been given to Janaček (and other Bohemian Classics) on this channel! It is just a case with me of if you love it - say it. And this seemed to be a fitting place. :)
I was also going to ask this. His quartets and (particularly) quintets are egregiously unknown. IMO, out of his contemporaries he was second only to Mendelssohn in that medium.
Your observations on the conversation vs. the melodic lead within the quartet form are so interesting. I listen mostly to jazz, and often wondered where the solos came from, but it's probably out of the same considerations for listening. Four people talking at the same time is just noise... speaking of which: what is that background hum?! Are you recording near the subway?
Hey Dave! Thanks again for directing my attention to that wonderful Eloquence box set of the Marriner/ASMF Hayden symphonies! It MORE than makes up and replaces the original LPs I lost when I sold my collection. Thank you! I now feel compelled to rebuild a small collection of smaller ensemble/chamber music to, again replace what was sold. I fondly remember my LPs of the Emerson Quartet, the Alberni Quartet on CRD records and the Vivaldi Lute Concertos on Hungaroton. But where do I start? Here? Keeping the collection "small" I would like to concentrate on "sound " quality if I could - I would like hear the "wood" of the instruments & would sacrifice a little execution for it. Looking forward to anything you could recommend or direction. Thank you!
I was somewhat surprised when you mentioned Beethoven's OP.59 first. They are quite massive and difficult in their own right. But when I think about it some more, I really think the 3 middle quartets best represent the unique Beethovenian sound and I go back to them the most. The first 6 are still somewhat frustrated w and held back,while the late works are best reserved for more experienced listeners.
The Rasumovskys were my own introduction to the string quartet literature, and I still think they were ideal--particularly the F Major. It has great melodies and great, muscular sound and energy, which might make them more accessible than those by Haydn and Mozart.
@@dennischiapello3879 I am not sure. No.1 opens with a sweeping cello melody and but its treatment is motific, jagged and contrapuntal. Mov 2 is very chromatic and rhythmic. Mov 3 is a massive adagio with a very long emotional arc and then it moves without interruption into mov 4(about 20+ mins of uninterrupted music) I adore it but its not easy music in length or content.
@@HeelPower200 Good points, especially about the Adagio. The C Major might be more approachable, given an unusual and rather irresistible slow movement (Andante?) and a barn-burner of a final movement. It's much easier to pick movements than whole quartets, of course.
It took me a long time to watch this video, because I kept pausing it to listen to each quartet on UA-cam - at least, the ones I didn't already know. Do you know that the Mendelssohn String Quartet No 2 sounds really good when arranged for brass quintet?
Uhh? What? Mozart didnt learn from Haydn. He learned mostly from his father and other teachers. And his biggest influences were CPE Bach, Handel, Bach and Manheim, in his formative years
Notwithstanding all your other terrific efforts, your "Essential for Beginners" videos might be your most valuable explanatory and revelatory efforts yet, both for beginners and for those of us who are trying to learn and appreciate the wonders of music that you so generously share with us...Many thanks!
Thank you!
Yes, whatever the subject I learn something new every video.
Looking forward to “Essential operas for beginners”!
wonder if he'll tackle organ music for beginners.
The list almost writes itself. Saint François d'Assise, Lulu, Parsifal, Le Cid…
@@matthewbbenton St Francis? The Messiaen? Oooo..I got the feeling that the lists were rather more the most significant symphonies etc, not necessarily the ones that suck the beginner in to listen to more.
@@ayethein7681 - German baroque church music for beginners!
@@matthewbbenton - You forgot about Die Soldaten! Oeee, and Death in Venice! At least Parsifal has some tunes - "Zum letszte Liebesmahle!". Going to put in on right now!
I have always considered the string quartet to be the equivalent of working in black and white. It is not as immediately attention-grabbing as color, but you can still do a lot, and often draw the audience into paying attention to things they might not when working in color.
I've only just come across Dave Hurwitz. I am so impressed. HIs analysis and enthusiasm for the music he discusses is unparalleled and the music he discusses I have recordings of all of them, and I have come to love already, . Thank you Dave, not just for your profound insights, but also confirming my own musical sense,, at least as far as this rank non-musician understands!. .(Though I don't think I can agree about Brohms so much)
You're welcome.
Very glad to see these. I think I would have counted on Ravel being coupled to Debussy (so the beginner will hear both regardless) just to make room for Shostakovich. I'd view him as somewhat more "essential" for a beginner than some of the other 20th century composers.
Thanks for including the Debussy and Ravel Quartets. I first heard the when I was ten years old and they opened my imagination. I will never forget the wonderful impression they made on me. They opened the door to chamber music in my life.
My foray into quartets-I was already well acquainted with symphonies and concertos-started at the deep end: late Beethoven and Bartok.
I have dived deep into quartets but still watched this in full just to hear you talk about them 😄
As a beginner, this selection was the most digestible so far but the music was more pleasant than meaty. I liked all the selections but only really found myself listening to one selection multiple times. The selection I kept returning to was the Dvorak so I must be warming up to him now.
If you liked the Dvorak 10th quartet try number 13 in G minor, my favourite Dvorak quartet.
The challenge for me approaching my first string quartets was the sybaritic sound world they seemed to create; it sounded rather harsh to me initially. Strings en masse are easy listening, and even a solo violin in a concerto seems pretty easy to listen to. But I don't know that there's any preparation for the quartet sound, so you might as well focus on the music!
There isn't quite the room for gimmicks in a string quartet. Few (the Smetana quartet is the one exception in this group, and there are few others) with programs. The string quartet is nearly impossible to use for political manipulation (Shostakovich did that once with great effect in his magisterial Eighth -- which I would definitely NOT suggest as an introduction to the string quartet) and it was definitely not connected to Communism. Direct quotation is all the manipulation possible, as with using the imperial anthem of Austria in Haydn's "Emperor" Quartet. OK, Haydn's "Fifths" suggests a witches' sabbath to me, but I have also read that that is not the intention.
The string quartet is the realm of the purest classical music.
Along the lines of this 'Essential for Beginners' theme - I want to mention that Kurt Atterberg's String Quartet No. 2 in B Minor, Op. 11 is an all-time favourite Quartet of mine. I'd say it's very immediately enjoyable, captivating, and unique. It SOUNDS like a String Quartet - even though he's known for his Symphonies. I think it fits this theme of being accessible without being facile. The recording by the Stenhammar Quartet is brilliant - highly recommended for a 'next step' beyond these 10. I'm aware that it's far from standard repertoire but I'm mentioning it here because it's one of the works that gets me most 'excited about the sound of the String Quartet'. Quite a stormy work, along the lines of the Grieg Quartet, Schubert's Death and the Maiden. Intimacy and profundity are one aspect of String Quartet writing - but I also relish these works for the way they use a lot of Fifths and techniques idiomatic to strings that create bold and dramatic sounds. Intimate doesn't have to only mean soft, it can mean bold and fierce too!
Your rendition of the Rider made my day 🤣
Somewhere along the line, one needs to list the Janaček Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters". This is one of the most beautiful outpourings of love in music (see Janačk's biography!), and not tortured as many of them are, rather endlessly melodic, inventive, life-affirming and well - happy! Isn't that what being in love OUGHT to do to a person? Nobody cares for the suffering, even though it often spills forth wondrous music (poetry, etc.). Not digressing any further, Janacek is equally captivating whether he is writing a tragic opera or a sunny quartet in the twilight of his years.
So we are beginning to collect material for the second edition of "Essential 10 Quartets". Hard to displace any from the first list - who would dare? :)
It's appeared on other lists recently...
@@DavesClassicalGuide Great, I saw that and am happy with how much attention has been given to Janaček (and other Bohemian Classics) on this channel! It is just a case with me of if you love it - say it. And this seemed to be a fitting place. :)
Would you like to do a video on Onslow? I'm fascinated by his chamber music, especially chamber works with winds.
Sure, at some point. His chamber music is excellent.
I was also going to ask this. His quartets and (particularly) quintets are egregiously unknown. IMO, out of his contemporaries he was second only to Mendelssohn in that medium.
When I looked at your list, my first thought was that the Smetana should be first as it is so so appealing. 27 minutes later you say the same!
Your singing of so many different movements is quite impressive. Your brain holds a lot of music you can call up on command. Well done.
Your observations on the conversation vs. the melodic lead within the quartet form are so interesting. I listen mostly to jazz, and often wondered where the solos came from, but it's probably out of the same considerations for listening. Four people talking at the same time is just noise... speaking of which: what is that background hum?! Are you recording near the subway?
Beats me.
Hey Dave! Thanks again for directing my attention to that wonderful Eloquence box set of the Marriner/ASMF Hayden symphonies! It MORE than makes up and replaces the original LPs I lost when I sold my collection. Thank you!
I now feel compelled to rebuild a small collection of smaller ensemble/chamber music to, again replace what was sold. I fondly remember my LPs of the Emerson Quartet, the Alberni Quartet on CRD records and the Vivaldi Lute Concertos on Hungaroton. But where do I start? Here? Keeping the collection "small" I would like to concentrate on "sound " quality if I could - I would like hear the "wood" of the instruments & would sacrifice a little execution for it. Looking forward to anything you could recommend or direction. Thank you!
I would start here! That's what the video is for!
I was somewhat surprised when you mentioned Beethoven's OP.59 first. They are quite massive and difficult in their own right. But when I think about it some more, I really think the 3 middle quartets best represent the unique Beethovenian sound and I go back to them the most. The first 6 are still somewhat frustrated w and held back,while the late works are best reserved for more experienced listeners.
The Rasumovskys were my own introduction to the string quartet literature, and I still think they were ideal--particularly the F Major. It has great melodies and great, muscular sound and energy, which might make them more accessible than those by Haydn and Mozart.
@@dennischiapello3879 I am not sure. No.1 opens with a sweeping cello melody and but its treatment is motific, jagged and contrapuntal. Mov 2 is very chromatic and rhythmic. Mov 3 is a massive adagio with a very long emotional arc and then it moves without interruption into mov 4(about 20+ mins of uninterrupted music)
I adore it but its not easy music in length or content.
@@HeelPower200 Good points, especially about the Adagio. The C Major might be more approachable, given an unusual and rather irresistible slow movement (Andante?) and a barn-burner of a final movement. It's much easier to pick movements than whole quartets, of course.
It took me a long time to watch this video, because I kept pausing it to listen to each quartet on UA-cam - at least, the ones I didn't already know. Do you know that the Mendelssohn String Quartet No 2 sounds really good when arranged for brass quintet?
Does anyone know that?
@@DavesClassicalGuide I'm trying to remember - I think the CD is called "Romantic Music for Brass Quintet" - something like that.
I’d say Haydn was Mozart’s dad in the musical since
Uhh? What?
Mozart didnt learn from Haydn. He learned mostly from his father and other teachers. And his biggest influences were CPE Bach, Handel, Bach and Manheim, in his formative years
If you meant who is a greater composer, Mozart is by far much greater than Haydn, in all genres.
As someone who has done two music degrees, one of them PhD, why bother any more when Dave will give you it all for free?
where is brahms
Watch the video.
Brahms clarinet quintet and the horn trio. Absolutely great.