Sextet (Dohnányi) Explained

The Sextet in C major for piano, violin, viola, cello, clarinet and horn, Op. 37, was composed by Ernst von Dohnányi in 1935.[1]

History

The sextet was written in 1935 during a lengthy period of illness, during which Dohnányi was bedridden with a thrombosis for several months. It was premiered on 17 June 1935.[1]

Structure

The sextet consists of four movements:

Reception

A reviewer for the Budapesti Hírlap, who attended the premiere on 17 June 1935, wrote favorably of the work: "One of the sextet's greatest values is that it is melodically original. Every tune is invented, not borrowed, and not based on a quotation."[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Dohnányi, Ilona von. Ernst von Dohnányi: A Song of Life. 2002. Indiana University Press. James A. Grymes. 0-253-10928-0. Bloomington. 98.
  2. Book: Grymes, James A.. Ernst von Dohnányi: A Bio-Bibliography. 2001. Greenwood Press. 978-0-313-07440-0. Westport, Conn.. 144.