String Quartet No. 4 (Mendelssohn) Explained

The String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2, was composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1837, and revised in 1839.^[1]

This work was premièred on 29 October 1837 at Leipzig with great success, and published as a full score in 1840.^[2] The piece is part of the Op. 44 set of 3 string quartets that Mendelssohn dedicated to the Crown Prince of Sweden.^[3] While Mendelssohn's first and second quartet were written under the influence of Beethoven, Op.44 exhibits a clear sprouting of the composer's originality in style.

Movements

Like all of Mendelssohn's string quartets, this work has four movements:

1. Allegro assai appassionato
2. Scherzo: Allegro di molto
3. Andante
4. Presto agitato

A typical performance just under 30 minutes.

External links

• • Performance by the Belcea Quartet from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in MP3 format

Notes and References

1. Web site: Booklet for Hyperion CDS44051/3, Mendelssohn String Quartets . 2014-01-07.
2. Book: Momma, Naomi . 1980 . 音楽之友社 . 最新名曲解説全集 第12巻 室内楽曲II.
3. Web site: IMSLP, String Quartet No.4, Op.44 No.2 (Mendelssohn, Felix) . 2014-01-11.