I. Grave - Juvénile
II. Gravement
III. Vif
Joseph-Ermend Bonnal composed his 2nd String quartet in 1938 when he was in his late 50s. Again, like the 1st quartet, it benefited from the Calvet Quartet's live advocacy but has similarly remained on the margins (or outside of them) of the string quartet repertoire ever since. It's a less immediate but just as rewarding work as the 1st quartet in many ways but its complexity and ethereal quality may not appeal as immediately at first. In three movements, the first movement begins slowly and sadly (Grave) but with some fine intricate ensemble writing, especially for the first and second violins. As it progresses the music goes from melancholy to a more childish sound, as though the composer is looking back at his early life (perhaps this is where the 'Juvénile' descriptor fits best) with the music becoming increasingly more playful as it progresses. Gradually, towards the end, we return to the melancholic start of the movement as the music fades out. The 2nd movement, Gravement, is more solemn and serious. Again the violins carry the first theme until the midway mark where the balance of instruments is better dispersed. Here the music changes, becoming more nostalgic and floating. The last of the three movements, Vif, begins feverishly, agitated and almost orchestrally in sonority. Busy Ravelian violins and a vibrant cello fight it out until the music softens and the violins and viola become more prominent. After some quirky cello lines the music again becomes busier and Bonnal makes use of runs and double stops to heighten the drama. In the short coda the music quickens again until it all comes to a violent end. Unfortunately, Bonnal died in 1944, missing the liberation and the end of the war. Incidentally, for a little more background on Bonnal please read my review of his 1st string quartet.
Currently, there's only one recording of this quartet by the Quatuor Debussy. They play this music with excellent dynamic contrasts and tbh it would be hard for any ensemble to be as persuasive in this music as the French quartet. Textures are excellent and they bring out the melodramatical properties of this quartet skilfully, playing with both sensuous beauty and appropriate aggression when needed. Their treatment of the outer movements is especially fine.
www.talkclassical.com
II. Gravement
III. Vif
Joseph-Ermend Bonnal composed his 2nd String quartet in 1938 when he was in his late 50s. Again, like the 1st quartet, it benefited from the Calvet Quartet's live advocacy but has similarly remained on the margins (or outside of them) of the string quartet repertoire ever since. It's a less immediate but just as rewarding work as the 1st quartet in many ways but its complexity and ethereal quality may not appeal as immediately at first. In three movements, the first movement begins slowly and sadly (Grave) but with some fine intricate ensemble writing, especially for the first and second violins. As it progresses the music goes from melancholy to a more childish sound, as though the composer is looking back at his early life (perhaps this is where the 'Juvénile' descriptor fits best) with the music becoming increasingly more playful as it progresses. Gradually, towards the end, we return to the melancholic start of the movement as the music fades out. The 2nd movement, Gravement, is more solemn and serious. Again the violins carry the first theme until the midway mark where the balance of instruments is better dispersed. Here the music changes, becoming more nostalgic and floating. The last of the three movements, Vif, begins feverishly, agitated and almost orchestrally in sonority. Busy Ravelian violins and a vibrant cello fight it out until the music softens and the violins and viola become more prominent. After some quirky cello lines the music again becomes busier and Bonnal makes use of runs and double stops to heighten the drama. In the short coda the music quickens again until it all comes to a violent end. Unfortunately, Bonnal died in 1944, missing the liberation and the end of the war. Incidentally, for a little more background on Bonnal please read my review of his 1st string quartet.
Currently, there's only one recording of this quartet by the Quatuor Debussy. They play this music with excellent dynamic contrasts and tbh it would be hard for any ensemble to be as persuasive in this music as the French quartet. Textures are excellent and they bring out the melodramatical properties of this quartet skilfully, playing with both sensuous beauty and appropriate aggression when needed. Their treatment of the outer movements is especially fine.
Merl's Blogged String Quartet and String Quintet...
As some of you are aware I started blogging my recommended string quartet recordings a while back as I didn't want to lose them in the Weekly String Quartet thread. However, blogging on TC has many limitations and there was no way to link all my posts in one place without the page disappearing...
www.talkclassical.com
