An Amiable Chamber Companion

 

Most come for the Quintet, though.

Anton Bruckner's String Quartet and String Quintet are often paired with one another, each making a fine counterpart to each other. Plus together, they reach to around 60 minutes worth of music.

Much like the composer's Symphony no. 00, the String Quartet in C minor is a student work. Thus, we should probably view its music more as an academic exercise rather than a puff of inspiration.

For example, I really like the opening theme from the first movement, yet Bruckner abandons it for a clot of rather thick transition material. He does bring his main motive back in the development and recapitulation, showing Bruckner is dutifully working on musical form. The composer seems to run out of steam, however, for each movement becomes determinedly shorter as the work continues.

That said, I enjoy the work for what it is. The String Quartet lies firmly in the early-Romantic vein, a style which does appeal to me. I especially sense its Romanticisms in the first two movements, where the third-movement Scherzo is a touch too genial and the finale a bit too steady and academic.

The String Quintet in F Major goes the other way, towards late-Romanticism. While it is generally agreed this is the firmer chamber work, at 45 minutes I simply find the Quintet too long and ambling. As I often mention in my blogs, I am not a huge fan of late-Romanticism to begin with, so take my views with a grain of salt. Since the Quintet drops between his 5th and 6th Symphonies, the harmonies go much further afield compared to the Quartet, and the textures are much more complex. I appreciate the sheer variety of music across its runtime, even if I feel its length.

If I am going to enjoy this music, it is going to come from an ensemble along the likes of the Leipzig Quartet. The third-movement Adagio of the String Quintet is the drop-dead gorgeous centerpiece of the work, and this is where the Leipzig Quartet succeeds its competitors. Their sense of line and singing quality is perfect for just this moment, albeit a nearly 14-minute moment. Move over Vienna Philharmonic Quartet! 

On the other hand, this chamber ensemble isn't burning down the house in the outer movements, favoring elegance over flash fires. In that way, the Leipzigers have a sturdy oaken quality akin to the Alban Berg Quartet, most likely an approach preferred by some of the Leipzig players coming from the Gewandhaus orchestra. Despite a lovely, rounded tone, ably making the music sing, the Leipzigers have a traditional sense of vitality with plenty of weight, and probably could use a touch more wit and thrust.

 

 

 

 

Works
String Quartet, WAB 111 (21.13)
String Quintet, WAB 112 (45.11)

Performers
Leipzig Quartet
   Andreas Seidel, violin
   Tilman Büning, violin
   Ivo Bauer, viola
   Matthias Moosdorf, cello
Hartmut Rohde, viola (Quintet)

Label: MDG
Year: 2005
Total Timing: 66.39

 

 

 

 

A program of Bruckner's chamber music is always going to suffer from early student works. This one is no different.

And yet, I like the early Romanticism of the String Quartet even if I often find the String Quintet just too bulky for its material. I do wish they had added the Bruckner Quintet Intermezzo, however.

The Leipzig Quartet has that traditional Teutonic quality I enjoy, even if a few more genuine smiles could be had.

 

 

 

Find more Bruckner recordings HERE!