Stenhammar: String Quartet 3 & 4

 

If Stenhammar's first two quartets shows a composer with influences, the next two show a composer amidst change.

I will admit upfront neither of these string quartets are favorites of mine.

The liner notes intimate Beethoven as a source of inspiration, with nods to specific works. I am afraid my memory of specific motives from Beethoven do not help me here, and still, I hear a continuation of Brahms more than the earlier composer.

Part of my problem with these string quartets, I think, are they are so rhapsodic. Again, the liner notes inform me that Stenhammar is deconstructing ideas, and this is an aspect which doesn't help me at all. I suppose this displays the composer as a musician moving forward, instead of stagnating as a composer merely holding onto his conservative musical perspective.

Both quartets have a theme and variations movement, and these might be my favorite portions. As I have often said before, a solid theme and variations should have an easily identifiable theme, with a simplistic melody and a recognizable turn of harmony to follow along with. I don't think these are as successful in this regard, but they become a centerpiece of the works.

String Quartet no. 4 is tossed about as Stenhammar's finest outing in the realm of string quartets. If this is the case, I am afraid I don't get the buzz. It moves through its paces, almost in a late-Romantic style, and none of it clings to my inner ear. If I must make such a statement, I think I enjoy String Quartet no. 3 of the two, if nothing else than for its motoric 2nd movement.

Well, if it seems I am nothing but a Negative Nancy, Stenhammar is never anything but a musical craftsman of the highest degree. His musical language has obviously embraced chromaticism, and while I can't remember a single musical idea, his little motivic ideas are always at the forefront of the music to identify. Plus, there is a passion in some of the music which I don't remember previously, perhaps due to these performers.

As with the earlier string quartets, the Stenhammar Quartet plays with a delightful freshness amidst BIS' sonics, both of which captivate. This SACD includes the string quartet version of Lodolezzi as a bit of filler, and it is rather lovely.

As an aside, I love the paintings of the covers so far from this BIS SACD series. The large brush strokes give the image in this first volume such personality!

 

Listen on YouTube

 

 

Work
String Quartet 3 in F Major (32.13)
String Quartet 4 in A minor (33.15)
Lodolezzi Sings (7.27)

Performers
Stenhammar Quartet
  Peter Olofsson, violin
  Per Öman, violin
  Tony Bauer, viola
  Mats Olofsson, cello

Label: BIS
Year: 2013
Total Timing: 73.47

 

 

Find more Stenhammar recordings HERE!