Vítězslav Novák - Piano Quartet, Op. 7 (1899)

Vítězslav Augustín Rudolf Novák (5 December 1870 – 18 July 1949) was a Czech composer and pedagogue. Stylistically, he was part of the neo-romantic tradition, and his music has been occasionally considered an early example of Czech modernism.

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Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 7 (1894, completely revised 1899)

1. Allegretto (0:00)
2. Scherzino: Allegretto comodo (8:18)
3. Rondo: Allegro (14:03)

Ames Quartet

Details by Edition Silvertrust:
The Op. 7 Piano Quartet originally dates from 1894. However, despite the fact that it won a state prize with a stipendium upon its premiere, Novak was dissatisfied with it and reworked it extensively only finishing his revisions in 1899. In fact, only the middle movement remains from the original work. The opening Andante has a very melancholy quality to it. The opening theme stated by the piano recalls the mediaeval plainsong, Dies irae. The second theme, first heard in the cello, is gentler. The rest of the movement involves a struggle between the two themes with their different moods. The second movement, Scherzino, allegretto comodo, as noted, is the only part of the original quartet that survives. Charming, bright and cheerful, it removes the aura of gloom from the preceding movement. The finale, Allegro, is a rondo. After a very short high-spirited introduction, reference is made to the solemn opening theme of the first movement and signals a dramatic competition between dark drama and stirring affirmation.

This is an important work, sitting as it does, on the edge of modernism, but still rooted in the ground of romanticism. An obvious candidate for the concert hall, it presents no unusual technical difficulties for amateurs who will enjoy it.